The Ballon d’Or ceremony has never been shy of drama. In 2023, Erling Haaland’s record-breaking season was pipped by Lionel Messi’s World Cup glory.
The following year, Vinícius Júnior’s Champions League triumph was overlooked. In 2025, as Ousmane Dembélé claimed the award, the football world was left debating the greatest robbery of them all.
The cases for Mohamed Salah, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal present a compelling argument.
👑Mo Salah's Case for The 2025 Ballon d'Or 🔥
Mohamed Salah delivered a monumental individual season that made him a prime candidate for the 2025 Ballon d'Or. His campaign was defined by incredible consistency and decisive contributions for Liverpool.
✔️Trophy Won: Led Liverpool to the English Premier League title.
✔️Goal Contributions: Scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists in the Premier League alone.
✔️Individual Honours: Won the Premier League Player of the Season, the PFA Players' Player of the Year, and the FWA Footballer of the Year awards.
✔️Overall Impact: Recorded a total of 57 goal contributions in 52 games across all competitions, driving his team to domestic glory.
For a player who delivered a career-defining campaign, his fourth-place finish felt like a significant snub.
💎Raphinha's Case for the 2025 Ballon d'Or 🌟
Raphinha was the transformational force behind FC Barcelona's historic season, building a Ballon d'Or case on both team success and record-shattering individual statistics.
✔️Trophies Won: Secured a domestic treble with Barcelona (La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España).
✔️Goal Contributions: Recorded 18 goals and 11 assists across all competitions.
✔️Champions League Record: Produced 13 goals and 9 assists in the UCL, totalling 21 goal contributions—surpassing Lionel Messi's historic 2011-12 tally.
✔️Individual Honours: Won the Spanish La Liga Player of the Season and was the UEFA Champions League top-scorer.
✔️️Overall Impact: Recorded a total of 59 goal contributions in 57 games across all competitions, driving his team to a domestic treble.
Despite this historic season, his fifth-place finish sparked widespread controversy and claims of being undervalued.
🌪️Yamal's Case for the 2025 Ballon d'Or ✨
Lamine Yamal defied his age with a season of immense quality, making a compelling case that talent and impact can transcend experience.
✔️Trophies Won: Secured a domestic treble with Barcelona (LaLiga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España).
✔️Individual Honour: Retained the Kopa Trophy for the best under-21 player in the world.
✔️Goal Contributions: Recorded 9 goals and 15 assists across all competitions.
✔️Overall Impact: Recorded a total of 43 goal contributions in 55 games across all competitions, driving his team to a domestic treble.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Controversy 🔍
The 2025 Ballon d'Or has etched another chapter of debate. Salah had historic individual dominance. Raphinha delivered record-breaking team success. Yamal showcased prodigious talent that defied age.
Each had a claim that in most years would have sufficed. Their collective omission confirms that the award remains a source of passionate debate, leaving fans to decide: who was robbed the most?
🔗 Follow the Arsenal vs Man City game here on MSport.
#BallonDor #Football #Salah #Raphinha #Yamal #Controversy #PlayerAnalysis #SoccerAwards
