Salah vs. Vinicius Jr: Football Legends Predict 2025 Ballon d’Or Winner
As the race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or heats up, football legends Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, and Micah Richards have weighed in on who they believe will claim the most prestigious individual honor in world football.
Speaking on CBS Sports during the Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City, the trio tipped Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr as the frontrunners for the coveted award.
Salah vs. Vinicius: A Battle of Excellence
Both players have been in sensational form this season, lighting up Europe with their individual brilliance and helping their teams stay in contention for major trophies.
🔴 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool):
26 goals & 18 assists in 34 appearances
Driving force behind Liverpool’s Premier League and UCL campaigns
Despite contract uncertainties, he remains one of football’s deadliest forwards
⚪ Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid):
16 goals & 11 assists in 30 appearances
One of the standout performers in Ancelotti’s attack
Many believe he was snubbed for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, which went to Spain’s Rodri
Both players have been relentless, but as Henry pointed out, their chances will heavily depend on team success. If Liverpool go on to win the Premier League and Champions League, Salah’s case will be nearly unshakable. However, if Real Madrid claim La Liga and the UCL, Vinicius could finally get his long-overdue moment of recognition.
Football Legends Weigh In
When Kate Abdo asked the panel for their Ballon d’Or predictions, Carragher wasted no time in backing Salah:
🗣️ Carragher: “Mohamed Salah!”
🗣️ Henry: “I’m with Jamie, yeah, if he carries on like that.”
🗣️ Richards: “He (Vinicius) is my mate, but probably Salah as well.”
While all three agreed Salah currently holds the edge, Henry reiterated that team trophies could be the deciding factor.
Opinion: Who Truly Deserves It?
The debate over the Ballon d’Or winner is always intense, and Vinicius' snub in 2024 only fuels the conversation further. However, if we compare individual performances alone, Salah is currently leading the race with superior goal contributions and his impact on Liverpool’s success.
That being said, football is unpredictable, and a Champions League final-winning goal or a defining league performance could swing the pendulum either way. One thing is certain—both Salah and Vinicius are proving why they deserve to be crowned the world’s best.
Final Verdict: Will It Be Salah or Vinicius?
If Liverpool win big this season, Salah might just walk away with his first Ballon d’Or. But if Madrid triumph in La Liga and the Champions League, expect Vinicius to make history.
Who do you think will claim the 2025 Ballon d’Or? Drop your predictions below! ⚽🏆🔥
