Can Anyone Snatch the Ballon d’Or from Salah’s Grasp?
As the football world turns its attention to the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, the contest for the coveted trophy promises to be a thrilling affair this year. With Mohamed Salah and Raphinha emerging as frontrunners, who else could potentially disrupt their pathways to glory?
Raphinha, the dazzling winger for Barcelona, has singled out Salah as one of the key contenders to battle for the 2025 Ballon d'Or. In a recent interview, he spoke candidly about his belief that several players could outperform him in the race, despite his impressive performance this season. With 32 goals and 25 assists to his name, Raphinha has certainly made a case for his inclusion in the conversation.
Despite crashing out of the Champions League, Raphinha's remarkable tally of goal contributions reached 57 in 53 matches this season. However, the Brazilian understands the competition he faces, acknowledging the talents of team-mates like Lamine Yamal and prominent rivals such as Kylian Mbappe.
The impact of recent performance dips cannot be overlooked. Salah, while appearing to be a favourite for the prestigious award, has recently faced criticism due to his form. With just one goal in his last eight games, the Liverpool forward must re-ignite his scoring momentum. Salah's statistics boast a remarkable 33 goals and 23 assists, just shy of Raphinha’s performance metrics but achieved in fewer games, keeping the competition alive and intriguing.
The football punditry is rife with speculation, and Brazilian legend Cafu has entered the fray, declaring that both Salah and Raphinha are the foremost candidates for the award. Cafu's confidence in Raphinha comes after a stellar season, yet he cautions that the race remains wide open with notable players like Ousmane Dembele and young sensations like Lamine Yamal threatening to emerge as well.
This looming contest serves as a reminder of the volatility of football accolades, where form can shift rapidly, particularly as we approach the climax of the 2025 season. With potential title victories on the line and decisive matches yet to be played, including the Champions League final, the landscape for the Ballon d'Or is still very much in flux.
As the football community eagerly anticipates the outcome of this year’s Ballon d'Or, it begs the question: Can Salah maintain his form and fend off the challenges posed by Raphinha and others? Or will new contenders rise to complicate the narrative?
We invite our readers to share their thoughts. Who do you believe is the frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or this year?
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