Soccer news: Five players who could win the Ballon d’Or this year

As the end of another season approaches, things are heating up in the conversation around the Ballon d’Or, with players such as Mohamed Salah, Raphinha, and Ousmane Dembélé eyeing up the famous prize.

Unlike in previous years, there is no clear front runner as things stand and any of a number of stars could deservedly walk away with the most prestigious individual award in football.

Manchester City’s Rodri is the current holder, while legends of the game Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the competition in recent times, winning a combined 13 titles between 2008 and 2023.

Sports News Bliz writer Alec Hayward takes a look at five players who could be crowned by France Football later this year.

Mohamed Salah – Liverpool and Egypt

Mohamed Salah has had an absolutely amazing season so far, in particular helping Liverpool to the Premier league title with a staggering haul of 28 goals and 18 assists.

Add to this 10 goal contributions in other competitions and you have yourself one of the overall front runners for the Ballon d’Or.

At the start of the season, the Egyptian was far and away the favourite to win the coveted award, but his odds have slipped quite significantly in recent times, with many now predicting him to place in the top five.

The main reason for the slip in position is the effect of the Champions league on voting.

Liverpool and Salah suffered an early exit to PSG in the round of 16 after what had been an incredibly promising start to the competition.

So, while Salah has had a phenomenal season so far, his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or are currently quite low sadly.

READ MORE: How the Champions League semi-finals changed the Ballon d'Or conversation

Pedri – Barcelona and Spain

Barcelona’s midfield maestro, Pedri, had been vital in what was a charge for the treble until Tuesday evening, when the Blaugrana were knocked out of the Champions League by Inter Milan.

He has been absolutely magic this season and a key part of a midfield set-up that allows Barcelona to have the best attack in Europe.

Many will look at him and say he doesn’t deserve it as he doesn’t have the necessary goals or assists, but you would understand why he is in the conversation if you watch him play week in, week out.

This season, Pedri has truly shown what he can do when he isn’t plagued by injuries and he is definitely in with a deserving shout for the Ballon d’Or.

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Raphinha – Barcelona and Brazil

One of the players who Pedri has helped all season in racking up a stunning output is Raphinha.

This term, the Brazilian has 32 goals and 22 assists in 53 games, with 13 of those goals and 8 of the assists coming in the Champions league.

Remarkably, the winger was almost written off in the summer when many Barcelona fans called for Spanish international Nico Williams to be brought in as a replacement, but I doubt those fans will be asking for the same this summer.

The 28-year-old has been on fire all season and was vital in Barcelona’s run to the Champions league semi-finals.

Raphinha has also been a key player in Barcelona’s domestic title charge and is definitely one of the favourites for the Ballon d’Or.

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Lamine Yamal – Barcelona and Spain

Lamine Yamal has been electric this season, showing that he is one of the best players in the world despite his age.

With 15 goals and 20 assists, the teenage superstar has only been outscored by two of his teammates at Barcelona.

However, it isn’t just output that has him on this list as his all-round ability is simply incredible, the evidence of which could be seen during the tie with Inter.

Yamal is undoubtedly the best young talent in the world of football and it is only a matter of time until he lands the Ballon d’Or.

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Ousmane Dembélé – Paris Saint-Germain and France

Ousmane Dembélé has been the main man for the Parisians this season.

The Frenchman has grabbed 33 goals plus 10 assists across all competitions and has been important in everything that PSG have done.

Notably, he has scored eight goals in the Champions League to drive his club to its second-ever final, where they are the favourites to win.

Moreover, a quadruple remains on the cards for PSG and Dembélé is key in that quest.

While the 27-year-old has had some injury worries, he is finally starting to live up to the potential that was demonstrated when he first broke through into elite football.

If PSG do end up winning in Munich, then Dembélé will have one hand on the Ballon d’Or.

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