Neither Salah nor Vinicius.. Thierry Henry names his favorite for the Ballon d'Or!

Europe 12 March 2025 at 07:35

Mohamed Rek

News Editor

Former French international Thierry Henry recently revealed his choice for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, awarded annually by France Football, highlighting the exceptional performances of a particular player this season in the Champions League.

The legendary striker, who made history with Barcelona and Arsenal, shared his view on who he believes is the most deserving player to clinch this prestigious trophy.

Thierry Henry: "Raphinha deserves the Ballon d'Or this year"!

Speaking to ( CBC Sports ), Thierry Henry stated: “For me, Raphinha is leading the race for the Ballon d'Or, thanks to his exploits in the Champions League. With 11 goals scored so far, he surpasses many other contenders.

The former captain of Les Bleus added: “Mohamed Salah remains a serious contender, as do Harry Kane and Ousmane Dembélé, but what sets Raphinha apart is his ability to offer a perfect balance between attack and defense, making him the ideal choice in my eyes.”

A complete and versatile forward

Henry emphasized that Raphinha is not just about scoring goals, but also stands out for his defensive qualities and involvement in team play. "He is consistent in his defensive efforts and relentlessly presses the opponent, which adds real value to his team," he explained.

The former Arsenal player also pointed out that the key to success in winning the Ballon d'Or lies in performance in the Champions League and winning the national championship. "Raphinha has scored many important goals, including even a penalty," he specified.

However, he added: “I'm not saying Kane and Salah shouldn't take penalties, quite the opposite. Salah is having an exceptional season in the Premier League, a feat hard to match.”

In conclusion, Thierry Henry reminded that, for him, a complete forward is not defined solely by their ability to score goals, but also by their involvement in other aspects of the game. "A forward must be able to press, defend, support their backs, and actively participate in team play. And Raphinha possesses all these qualities," he affirmed.

Raphinha, with his brace against Benfica, brought his Champions League goal tally to 11, thus taking the lead in the competition's top scorers chart for this season.

Also read: Does Salah deserve the Ballon d'Or this year? Antony responds!