Some names have slowly faded from the 2025 Ballon d’Or race. For example, Mohamed Salah, once considered a front-runner for the award thanks to his exceptional season with Liverpool, is now in the final months of the campaign. With the Premier League title all but sealed, and him being the team’s primary striker, he was seen as a top contender.
However, after losing the Carabao Cup final to Newcastle United and being eliminated in the Champions League round of 16 by Paris Saint-Germain, it’s hard to believe Salah will be among the top three. All eyes are now on La Liga leaders Barcelona, who are still in contention for the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, as well as having won the Spanish Super Cup.
Related topics
Let’s start with Barcelona star Raphinha Dias. Words cannot describe the incredible season the Brazilian has had, transforming him from a player who was likely to leave Camp Nou into one of the best players in the world and becoming an icon for the club’s fans. Hansi Flick has managed to get the best out of Raphinha, who previously played for Leeds United, Sporting Lisbon, and Stade Rennais, achieving impressive numbers that far surpass those achieved by Xavi Hernandez in his first two years with the team.
Raphinha has scored 27 goals and provided 21 assists in all competitions, figures that eclipse Vinicius Junior’s tally from last season, when he was considered a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or. However, the Brazilian winger’s biggest rival will be his teammate, Lamine Yamal, who also boasts impressive statistics, despite being only 17 years old. Yamal could become the youngest winner of the award, surpassing Leo Messi, Ronaldo Nazário, Michael Owen, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Spanish international has scored 13 goals and provided 17 assists, despite playing fewer games than his teammate Raphinha, breaking several early records. According to statements made to Radio Catalunya, Laporta believes the Barcelona duo are the favorites to win the award, ahead of Real Madrid duo Mbappé and Vinicius, Bayern Munich star Harry Kane, and Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembélé.
