By Capital Watch Media
Former England manager Sam Allardyce has backed Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or, dismissing Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah’s chances of claiming the prestigious award.
Speaking on Thursday, Allardyce, 70, highlighted Real Madrid’s influence and last year’s controversy as key factors in Vinicius Jr’s potential victory.
“There’s no chance for Salah to win. It’ll be Vinicius Jr because of what Real Madrid did last year,” he said.
The Brazil international was considered a frontrunner for the 2024 Ballon d’Or after scoring 25 goals and providing 11 assists in 40 appearances, helping Real Madrid secure the UEFA Champions League and LaLiga titles.
Despite his impressive performance, Vinicius Jr lost the award to Manchester City’s Rodri, who played a crucial role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory and his club’s Premier League success.
Vinicius Jr’s absence from last year’s award ceremony in protest sparked significant criticism and speculation.
Reports suggested the forward had anticipated being overlooked for the honour, prompting his decision not to attend.
This year, the Brazilian forward has maintained his strong form, registering 17 goals and 10 assists in 34 matches across all competitions.
Meanwhile, Salah has delivered exceptional performances for Liverpool, scoring 30 goals and providing 22 assists in 39 appearances so far this season.
Despite Salah’s remarkable stats, Allardyce believes the political fallout from Real Madrid’s 2024 boycott will weigh heavily on this year’s decision.
“They (France Football) will be absolutely sh*tting themselves because they won’t turn up again if one of them doesn’t win it,” he remarked.
The Ballon d’Or, organised by France Football magazine, has faced increasing scrutiny over perceived biases and controversial decisions in recent years.
Allardyce’s comments have reignited debate over the fairness and transparency of the award’s selection process, with fans and analysts split on the likely winner.
As the 2025 Ballon d’Or announcement approaches, both Vinicius Jr and Salah remain among the top contenders, with their ongoing performances set to influence the final vote.
The award ceremony is expected to take place later this year, with football enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the outcome of what promises to be another closely contested race.
