Former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren has sparked major debate online after reacting to Mohamed Salah’s surprise omission from The Best FIFA Men’s World XI. The Croatian centre-back, now 36 and playing for Greek club PAOK, has not held back in defending his longtime friend and former teammate.
Lovren has been vocal in recent weeks about what he believes is unfair treatment of Salah, especially following the Egyptian’s much-discussed interview earlier this month. And the FIFA awards outcome only added fuel to that fire.
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A Bond That Still Runs Deep
Although Lovren was one of several players moved on as Jürgen Klopp reshaped Liverpool in his early years, his relationship with Salah has remained strong. The two shared the pitch 66 times in a Liverpool shirt and have stayed close ever since.
So when Salah failed to make the final World XI selection, Lovren felt compelled to speak out once again — viewing the decision as yet another slight against the forward many fans call the “Egyptian King.”
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Why the Snub Raised Eyebrows
Salah appeared a near certainty for inclusion after an outstanding year that saw him lift the Premier League title and sweep up several individual honours, including Player of the Year, Playmaker of the Year and the Golden Boot.
Instead, his place went to Cole Palmer. While Palmer enjoyed a strong calendar year, his 26 goal contributions were comfortably surpassed by multiple players who either made the team — or, like Salah, were left out altogether.
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Lovren’s Blunt Response
Taking to X, Lovren made his feelings crystal clear with a sharp, sarcastic post aimed at the decision-makers.
> “Mo, you should fire your PR team. Not good enough again.”
The comment quickly gained traction, with fans split between those amused by Lovren’s humour and others questioning the selection process itself.
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Salah Responds on the Pitch
Ironically, the omission came during a period when Salah had not started any of Liverpool’s previous five matches in all competitions and was even excluded from the Champions League squad for the trip to Inter Milan.
However, he made his mark when given the chance. Coming off the bench in Liverpool’s 2–0 victory over Brighton, Salah delivered an assist from a corner — a contribution that saw him become the player with the most goal involvements for a single club in Premier League history.
Lovren couldn’t resist another dig, posting once more with tongue firmly in cheek:
> “Not good enough, Mo. You need to cover your full-back.”
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A Legacy Beyond Question
The World XI snub does little to dent Salah’s standing in the game. During the 2025/26 season, he was named PFA Men’s Player of the Year for a record third time and also picked up his third Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year award.
At 33, Salah has already written his name into Premier League history, becoming the highest-scoring overseas player the competition has ever seen, surpassing Sergio Agüero’s long-standing record of 184 goals.
While a slow start to the current campaign may have worked against him, it’s hard to ignore that some players selected ahead of him have spent much of the season sidelined through injury.
One thing is certain: whether recognised by awards or not, Mohamed Salah’s impact on English football — and Liverpool’s modern era — remains undeniable. 🔴⚽
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