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Eliminated from the Champions League, the Real Madrid star should not win the supreme individual distinction this season. Unless…
Who will win the Ballon d'Or? This is one of the questions that animate the world of football throughout the season. And it becomes more and more significant over the towers of the Champions League, capital competition – and decisive – in the race for the most beautiful individual football trophy. Natural selection plays its role: the list is falling. And while we know the four semi-finalists of the cup with large ears, the painting clears, the favorites are taking shape.
Kylian Mbappé offside?
Mohamed Salah, considered one of the natural candidates in view of his exceptional season, (no doubt) said goodbye to the supreme distinction after the elimination of the Liverpool FC against Paris SG from the knockout stages of the continental test. Harry Kane, another legitimate claimant, did the same this Wednesday, FC Bayern Munich having failed to overthrow Inter Milan in the quarterfinals. The other big loser this week is none other than Kylian Mbappé.
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The Frenchman has been running after the Ballon d'Or for many years. He would no doubt have obtained it if the Blues had won the final of the 2022 World Cup, a match during which he had worn the tricolor national team by scoring a hat -trick. Fate – and Emiliano Martínez – decided otherwise. By joining Real Madrid Cf-holding the title in C1-, the ex-Parisian hoped (finally) to be able to win the most beautiful European competitions. It will not be for this year, the Merengues having been humiliated by the Arsenal FC.
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A halftone season
If the White House was still in the race to make a double, the AS Monaco striker would have certainly appeared among the favorites. And this, despite a 2024-2025 season made of ups and downs, and less flamboyant than its previous ones in the French capital with certainly thirty-three goals scored all competitions but little (none?) Influence in the big matches, those who count, like its discreet performances-not to say more-against the Gunners.
But Kylian Mbappé is a name. A known and recognized personality in the world of football and even beyond. And this is also what counts for the Ballon d'Or, even if the victory of the Spaniard Rodri last year proves the opposite. The exception that confirms the rule. And then, let's say, his teammates who could claim it, like Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr, are not at last season either. The only Madrid who was detached was “km9”. There, with only the Liga – where Real Madrid CF is distant – and the King's Cup to play, the “Crack de Bondy” is certainly dismissed from the race.
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A race between Parisians and Barcelona?
From now on, the fight for the Ballon d'Or is undoubtedly limited to a duel between Parisians and Barcelona. On the red and blue side, we obviously have Ousmane Dembélé, on fire with Paris SG since the end of 2024. The ex-Rennais is already in thirty-two achievements and eight assists, all in just forty-two matches. He has to face competition from the Lamine Yamal nugget, exceptional with the Blaugrana with twelve goals and fourteen assists. But also (and above all) of Raphinha, who never ceases to panic the counters: twenty-seven achievements and sixteen caviars distributed in club this season.
Nor should we forget the master to play Hansi Flick, Pedri, who has established himself as one of the best – if not the best? – midfielder on the planet in recent months or the serial scorer Robert Lewandowski. On the Arsenal FC side, it is difficult to release a single name even if Declan Rice stood out with his double free kick against Real Madrid cf. Finally, for Inter Milan, only Lautaro Martínez seems to have a chance. And again. In any case, everything will depend on the identity of the team that will win the Champions League this season. Unless the new club World Cup changes the situation … which would be good news for Kylian Mbappé.
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