Ballon d’Or Rankings Highlight Smart Liverpool Move for the 2025/26 Season
The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony concluded in Paris, where Manchester City’s Rodri emerged as the winner.
However, the rankings reveal that Liverpool made a smart move in signing Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia for the 2025/26 season.
This past summer transfer window was relatively quiet for Liverpool, with significant internal changes happening following the departure of long-standing manager Jurgen Klopp.
Arne Slot, the club’s new head coach, first wanted to evaluate his squad. Content with the team he observed, the Dutch manager decided to bring in only two players for Liverpool.
The club signed Federico Chiesa from Juventus, marking him as the primary new addition for the current season. Additionally, Liverpool secured Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia in a £29 million deal, though they immediately loaned him back to the Spanish club.
Mamardashvili, the Georgian goalkeeper, made a strong impression during the 2023/24 season and delivered standout performances for his national team in Euro 2024.
These displays drew attention from top European clubs, yet Liverpool moved swiftly and unexpectedly to secure the 24-year-old’s transfer over the summer.
Now, the recent Ballon d’Or rankings highlight this as an excellent piece of business for Liverpool.
Giorgi Mamardashvili Secures Impressive Ballon d’Or Ranking
Mamardashvili secured seventh place in the final rankings for the Yachine Trophy, which recognizes the best goalkeeper in the world and was awarded to Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez.
The Georgian shot-stopper ranked above Liverpool’s current first-choice keeper, Alisson, underscoring the smart move Liverpool made this summer by signing the 24-year-old early.
By securing him now, the Reds likely avoided a higher transfer fee from Valencia in 2025, as he is now officially among the top 10 goalkeepers worldwide.
Next season could reveal whether Mamardashvili will take over as Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper or if the Georgian talent will need to wait another year before replacing Alisson at Anfield.
In other news, Roy Keane Silences Jamie Carragher in Intense Debate on Liverpool Star Trent Alexander-Arnold
