A contentious debate has ignited in the football world after former Premier League striker Troy Deeney made headlines with his controversial assessment of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, questioning the Egyptian’s world-class credentials while advocating for Real Madrid’s Vinícius Jr. as a superior role model for aspiring footballers.
The surprising critique of Salah, who ranks as the Premier League’s eighth-highest goalscorer and has consistently been Liverpool’s talisman, came during Deeney’s appearance as a pundit on talkSPORT. The former Watford captain’s comments have sparked intense discussion, particularly given Salah’s remarkable achievements and current form of eight goals in eleven Premier League appearances this season.
Deeney’s assessment centered not on Salah’s statistical achievements but rather on his perception of what constitutes a world-class player. I think Mohamed Salah is excellent, he’s a pivotal part of Liverpool,” Deeney acknowledged, before delivering his controversial verdict. “My argument has always been that I just don’t think he’s world class. World class is just a different opinion, what I think of world class is would I want my kids to play like that player?”
The 36-year-old pundit then made the bold choice of elevating Real Madrid’s Vinícius Jr. above Salah as an exemplar for young players. “If I was asking my kids who want to be forwards, I would be saying I would like them to look at what Vinícius Jr. does as opposed to Mohamed Salah,” Deeney explained, while acknowledging Salah’s “unbelievable amount of goals” and effectiveness.
The timing of Deeney’s comments is particularly noteworthy given both players’ current trajectories. Vinícius Jr. has indeed enjoyed a remarkable 2023-24 season, contributing significantly to Real Madrid’s Champions League and La Liga double, even earning consideration for the Ballon d’Or. Meanwhile, Salah continues to demonstrate his elite status, maintaining his exceptional goalscoring record in the current campaign.
Deeney’s critique also touched upon Liverpool’s contract management regarding Salah, suggesting that allowing uncertainty around the Egyptian’s future was a mistake. “They should never have let it get to this situation,” he noted, while acknowledging the club’s need to maintain financial structure.
The former striker’s comments, however, seem to overlook Salah’s transformative impact on Liverpool and the Premier League. Since arriving at Anfield, Salah has shattered numerous records and consistently performed at an elite level, becoming one of the most influential players in Liverpool’s modern history. His combination of goalscoring prowess and creative ability has made him a cornerstone of Liverpool’s success under Jürgen Klopp.
Anticipating potential pushback, Deeney himself acknowledged the likely response to his controversial take: “He’s probably going to turn around and say, ‘Who the f*** is Troy?’ and fair play to him, but that’s my opinion.” This self-aware comment highlights the subjective nature of such assessments while also recognizing the vast gulf between his own career achievements and Salah’s accomplishments.
The debate raises interesting questions about how we define world-class status in modern football. While Vinícius Jr.’s dynamic style and recent success with Real Madrid are undeniable, Salah’s consistent excellence and statistical achievements present a compelling counter-argument to Deeney’s assessment.
As the football community digests these controversial comments, both players continue their respective campaigns. Salah will have his next opportunity to respond on the field when Liverpool face Southampton on November 24, while Vinícius Jr. continues his journey with Real Madrid, where he aims to build upon last season’s success.
This debate ultimately reflects the evolving nature of how we evaluate football excellence, with different observers prioritizing various aspects of the game. Whether focusing on statistical achievement, playing style, or influence as a role model, the discussion highlights the complex nature of determining what truly constitutes world-class status in modern football.
