Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or took a hit after Liverpool was knocked out of the Champions League earlier this week.
The Egyptian had been the bookmakers’ favorite to claim soccer’s most coveted individual gong thanks to his incredible form for the Reds this season, but he has now been overtaken by Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe has scored 28 goals in 42 appearances during his first season at Madrid, and netted his penalty in Los Blancos’ shoot-out victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday.
Mbappe is now the 5/2 favorite with Bet Victor, with Salah joined as a 3/1 shot by Barcelona star Raphinha; Vinicius Junior is the fourth favorite at 10/1.
Barcelona’s Raphinha is enjoying a phenomenal season, with the 28-year-old having netted 27 goals and registered 19 assists in 41 appearances for the Catalan club in all competitions — that’s just five fewer goals and three fewer assists than Salah has managed for Liverpool this term.
Raphinha’s chances, like Mbappe’s chances, are boosted by his club still being in contention to win the Champions League. The former Leeds United winger scored three of Barcelona’s goals in the Blaugrana’s 4-1 aggregate victory over Benfica in the last 16.
Sam Boswell, spokesperson of BetVictor, said: “Mohamed Salah was the firm favorite to pick up his first Ballon d’Or at the start of the month but has seen his place at the top of the betting snatched by Kylian Mbappe.
“Mbappe has narrowed into 5/2 favoritism after Real Madrid’s penalty shootout victory against Atletico Madrid last night, with Salah drifting to 3/1 from 11/10. Elsewhere, Raphinha has seen his odds slashed from 14/1 to 3/1 in the space of two weeks.”
Former Arsenal star Thierry Henry said on CBS Sports on Wednesday that Raphinha should be the favorite. “Raphinha is at the forefront for me now in the race for the Ballon d’Or, he is leading due to his contributions in the Champions League,” Henry said.
“I am not suggesting that Kane and Salah shouldn’t be credited for penalties. Mo Salah is having a Premier League season that we might never see again. What I am indicating is that if a player has nearly the same number of goals as you scored without relying on penalties, while what you accomplished is indeed exceptional, this player deserves further discussion.”
