Salah comes into the tournament, after a league campaign that saw him win the Champions League with Liverpool.
He will be expected to pull strings, as seven-time champions Egypt kick off their campaign on Friday against Group A opponents Zimbabwe in Cairo.
Aguirre believes there is added incentive for Salah to impress on home soil.
“He’s helped me with the group since the beginning; he’s a kind of leader.
“I’m really happy with him because he had an extraordinary season with his club.
“So I say, ‘OK Mohamed, if you’re able to help us win the African Cup, for sure you’re going to be in the last three or four for the Ballon d’Or’.
“He’s a very nice guy, a humble guy. He’s sincere, he jokes with everybody. We have a real normal relationship,” the 60-year-old told The National.
Egypt, who last won the competition in 2010, are pre-tournament favourites.
