Raphinha has named Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah among six players he feels could beat him to the Ballon d’Or crown this season.
The Barcelona winger is undoubtedly in the mix for the biggest individual prize in the game, following a stellar campaign that has seen him score 32 goals and register 25 assists in all competitions. They are remarkable numbers, especially the 22 goal involvements from 14 Champions League appearances.
It’s why he’s very much in the frame for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. But the attacker’s chances took a significant blow on Tuesday as Barcelona crashed out of the Champions League – a victory in the tournament would have vastly improved his hopes of scooping the prize.
He joins the carousel of Europe’s top performers who will not have a Champions League winner’s medal to their name when the Ballon d’Or is awarded later this year. Salah looked to be the favorite before his own European exit in March at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.
The Liverpool forward can boast similar numbers to Raphinha this term, with 33 goals and 23 assists to his name. That’s one fewer goal involvement, but Salah has played four fewer games.
He’s another standout candidate, something Raphinha acknowledges. Speaking in a recent interview with Brazilian reporter Isabela Pagliari, the ex-Leeds United man was asked to name who he feels could challenge his claim for the accolade, naming Salah alongside four teammates from club and international level.
(Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
“Ballon d’Or? Lamine [Yamal], Salah, [Kylian] Mbappe too,” he replied. “Pedri, for me, one of the best players in the world.
“Vinicius, for me, is always a candidate, even if his numbers are slightly below last year. And, of course, Rodrygo would be considered. He’s spectacular, phenomenal, out of the ordinary, one of the best I’ve ever seen.”
None of those mentioned come close to the numbers produced by Raphinha and Salah this season, while the three Real Madrid players could end the campaign without major silverware.
However, Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or have been hurt by a recent downturn in form. The Egyptian has provided just one goal and one assist from his last eight matches.
(Image: (Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images))
As for Raphinha, he was on target in Barcelona’s Champions League exit at the hands of Inter Milan, when the Serie A side progressed after a pulsating 7-6 aggregate win over 210 minutes.
Ousmane Dembele was one name the 28-year-old did not mention as a possible Ballon d’Or nominee. His numbers don’t quite reach the levels of Salah or Raphinha, but he could still win the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain and has scored 33 goals this season.
Rodri is the current Ballon d’Or holder, while Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema won the award in the previous two years.
