Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
Thierry Henry has backed Raphinha’s declare to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or, largely resulting from his goalscoring exploits within the Champions League.
The Brazil worldwide netted twice in Barca’s 3-1 second leg of defeat of Benfica final night time to take his tally in Europe’s elite membership competitors to 11.
The Catalans’ 4-1 mixture win means they superior to a quarter-final in opposition to both Borussia Dortmund or Lille.
And Henry believes Raphinha has edged forward of the likes of Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane within the race for the sport’s largest particular person prize.
“Raphinha is forward, with the Ballon d’Or.”
Thierry Henry believes the Barcelona star is an early favourite to take residence the distinguished award 👇 pic.twitter.com/6t6V4meq0J
— CBS Sports activities Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 11, 2025
Henry backs ‘full’ Raphinha
Talking on CBS final night time, the previous France striker stated: “He [Raphinha] is up there due to what he’s doing within the Champions League. He has 11 objectives within the Champions League.
“Mo Salah is a superb contender for it, Harry Kane is a contender.
“Raphinha is on a number of objectives with only one penalty. I’m not saying Kane shouldn’t have penalty [stats] and Mo Salah is having a season within the Premier League that we are going to by no means see once more.
“However I’m saying if a man has the identical quantity of objectives than your guys scored with out penalties, it’s not unhealthy, it’s excellent.
“What he’s doing on prime of defending, when folks discuss being full, as a striker it’s important to know the best way to put stress on additionally and press effectively and Raphinha has all of it.”
Flick backs up Henry’s view
Raphinha has additionally performed a key position in Barcelona topping La Liga, though they’re stage on factors with Actual Madrid and only one forward of Atletico Madrid.
Blaugrana boss Hansi Flick spoke final week of Raphinha’s significance to his workforce.
The German stated: “Raphinha for the Ballon d’Or? He’s a candidate, sure. In fact, if he does effectively this season he might have an opportunity.
“He all the time helps us loads, and if you happen to see the objectives he has scored it exhibits you the way hungry he’s. You see it, it’s good to see how centered he’s. I’m completely happy along with his stage.”
The highest scorers on this season’s Champions League:
11 Raphinha (Barcelona)10 Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)9 Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)8 Erling Haaland (Manchester Metropolis)7 Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Ousmane Dembele (Paris St-Germain), Kylian Mbappe (Actual Madrid), Vangelis Pavlidis (Benfica), Vinicius Jr (Actual Madrid)
