Although Barcelona star Raphinha is now leading the field, Thierry Henry believes Mo Salah and Harry Kane are also potential Ballon d’Or winners. Much could happen in the competition for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, which will be presented in October in Paris, but there is still a lot of football to be played before then.
By the end of the current season, however, players will have a great chance to win that race because their cause will be greatly enhanced by playing for teams that have won the league and the Champions League. According to Henry, Raphinha’s Champions League exploits have given him the advantage over his competitors thus far in the race to win the next Ballon d’Or.
In just ten Champions League games this season, the former Leeds winger has scored 11 goals, including two in Tuesday’s 3-1 victory over Benfica. The Brazil international currently has 27 goals across all competitions this season, and Henry believes that his numbers are even more impressive than those of his rivals because he does not take penalties and has other responsibilities besides scoring goals.
Thierry Henry delivers Mo Salah snub for Ballon d’Or
“I think Raphinha is ahead right now because of his performance in the Champions League,” Henry said on CBS Sports. His Champions League goal total is 11. Ousmane Dembele, Harry Kane, and Mo Salah are all excellent candidates.
“In addition to winning your league, it depends on how well you do in the Champions League. Raphinha has only one penalty [across all competitions] and scores several goals.
Mo Salah is having a Premier League season that we will never see again, and I’m not suggesting that Kane and Salah shouldn’t have penalties. You guys did a fantastic job, so I won’t say it’s bad if a guy has almost as many goals as you people did without any penalties. However, I need to discuss a little more about this individual.
“When people talk about being a complete striker, Rajinha, you need to know how to defend and assist your full-back in addition to applying pressure. He also possesses everything.
