Real Madrid players will be competing yet again for the Ballon d'Or in 2025. After the shambolic result of the 2024 golden ball, Los Blancos' stars have even more reason to fight - A certain Brazilian player more than others. However, this time, Vini has some healthy competition from his own camp.
Despite not making the best start to the 2024/25 campaign, Real Madrid is on course to have a strong finish. Ultimately, you are only as good as your final season standings suggest, so the poor start to the season will be forgotten about in this instance.
Last night, Real Madrid began their Round of 16 tie well. They were drawn to face their arch-rivals Atletico Madrid, and in true Madrid fashion, the game was a tight one. Nevertheless, the pride of Madrid never went a goal down and they merged victorious to set up an eventual second leg.
Man United legend names three Real Madrid players who can challenge Mo Salah
It is hugely controversial, but it's a known fact that the Champions League has a huge impact on the eventual Ballon d'Or winner. This is especially the case when there is no World Cup.
Via TNT Sports, Rio Ferdinand has echoed this message, by claiming that Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham could all challenge Mohamed Salah for the Ballon d'Or this year. The Man United legend surprisingly placed Salah at the top of his personal pecking order, but admitted that this could change based on the Champions League.
In his own words, Ferdinand said: "Right now at this moment in time, I don't think there's anyone else on the podium with [Salah]. But I think with the way the Champions League works, as you get through the knockout stages and someone starts coming to the fore, they end up there. It comes down to moments in big games, really. You can throw Salah in there, you can throw [Ousmane] Dembele in there if PSG go far, [Kylian] Mbappe will be there, Vinicius [Junior] and [Jude] Bellingham."
It's no lie that the Ballon d'Or can be fickle. When it seems like a player is nailed on for the golden ball, one match could change it all. Indeed, considering the brackets both teams find themselves in, we could definitely see a Liverpool vs Real Madrid semifinal. Given how both teams are performing this season, alongside their Champions League history, this wouldn't be surprising.
The race for the Ballon d'Or is well and truly on.