Thierry Henry has named his favorite for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, surprising many by sidelining Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool forward has had an impressive season with 32 goals and 22 assists, yet Henry believes that the Egyptian's chances are diminished due to Liverpool's early exit from the Champions League. Instead, he favors Barcelona's Raphinha, who boasts 11 goals in the Champions League, as the leading candidate. Henry emphasizes that Champions League performances are crucial, alongside domestic league success, in determining the Golden Ball winner.
Raphinha is ahead for me now [in the race for the Ballon d'Or], he is ahead because of what he is doing in the Champions League.
It depends if you perform in the Champions League, on top of winning your league. Raphinha is on a lot of goals and with only one penalty.
Salah has managed 32 goals and 22 assists in just 42 games, with his output putting Liverpool on course for a potential Premier League and League Cup double.
Though the Frenchman refuses to rule out the Egyptian from winning the award, Henry believes that Raphinha is leading the running.
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