Raphinha Names Ballon d’Or Contenders Amid European Heartbreak

BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona forward Raphinha has named Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé as contenders for this year’s Ballon d’Or, setting aside club rivalries.

Along with his Barcelona teammates Lamine Yamal and Pedri, Raphinha also mentioned Mohamed Salah of Liverpool as a strong candidate. Surprisingly, he did not include Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain, who has had a remarkable season.

This season, Raphinha has scored 32 goals and provided 22 assists across all competitions, increasing his chances of winning the prestigious award. The forward believed he had secured a place for Barcelona in the Champions League final against Inter Milan, only to be thwarted by late efforts from Francesco Acerbi and Davide Frattesi.

Despite the disappointment of their European exit, Barcelona is on course to win every domestic title this season. “Ballon d’Or?” Raphinha pondered when asked about potential winners. “Lamine, Salah, Mbappé too. Pedri, for me, is one of the best in the world. Vinícius is always a candidate, even if his numbers are slightly down from last year.”

Yamal, 17, and Pedri were influential in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph last summer, showcasing their skills. Former Real Madrid star Toni Kroos praised Pedri’s contributions, noting his ability to influence matches beyond just goals and assists.

Vinícius Júnior narrowly missed out on last year’s award, and like Mbappé, he faces a tough battle for the title after Real Madrid’s disappointing Champions League exit.

Salah emerged as the English Football Writers’ Association’s top Premier League player, achieving 90 percent of the votes. His exceptional performance, including 27 goals this season, keeps him in the running, although Liverpool’s early Champions League exit may hurt his chances.

As the race for the Ballon d’Or heats up, players such as Dembele and Raphinha will be closely watched, especially following their significant contributions in the Champions League.