Liverpool’s Champions League exit has led Thierry Henry to reconsider Mohamed Salah as a frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Salah had been the early favorite for the Ballon d’Or during an incredible season with 32 goals and 22 assists across all competitions. However, Liverpool’s elimination at the hands of PSG puts his position for the prize at risk.
Meanwhile, Raphinha delivered a standout performance in Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Benfica, scoring twice and assisting another to send his team into the quarter-finals. With 11 goals in 10 Champions League games, he is now the tournament’s top scorer, giving him a significant boost in the Ballon d’Or conversation.
“Raphinha is ahead for me now, He is ahead because of what he is doing in the Champions League. Mo Salah is a great contender, but performing in Europe matters,” Thierry Henry said on CBS Sports.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona forward acknowledged Salah’s historic Premier League campaign but also hailed Raphinha’s efficiency, pointing out that he has nearly the same number of goals without taking penalties.
“I am not saying that Salah should not be having penalties, Mo Salah is having a season in the Premier League that we will never see again. I am saying that if a guy has virtually the same amount of goals as you guys scored, without penalties, I am not going to say that is bad what you did – it is outstanding – but this guy I have to talk a bit more about him.”
While Salah remains a strong contender, his Ballon d’Or hopes may now depend on Liverpool’s domestic success, with the Reds leading the Premier League title race.