Ballon d'Or Odds: Salah’s Dream Dented After Cup Disappointments

Mohamed Salah's hopes of winning the 2025 Ballon d'Or suffered a major setback after Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain.

The Egyptian was the favourite to claim his first Ballon d'Or just a few weeks ago but has now slipped to third in the odds, trailing Kylian Mbappe and Raphinha.

Liverpool remain dominant in the Premier League, holding a 12-point lead at the top, but failed to secure their first silverware of the season when they lost in the EFL Cup final against Newcastle.

With no Champions League glory on the table, Salah’s Ballon d'Or chances may have taken a decisive hit in what could potentially be his final season at Anfield.

Salah has set exceptionally high standards this season and despite Liverpool's Champions League exit and Wembley disappointment, he still remains in the race for football’s most prestigious individual prize.

However, he faces stiff competition from a number of players from La Liga. 

The 2024 award was won by Manchester City's Rodri, but his hopes of winning it for a second successive year were dashed by a season-ending knee injury in September.

The best betting sites will continue to update their odds throughout the coming months.

So, who will be named Ballon d'Or winner in 2025, based on performances from the start of August 2024 to the end of July 2025?

Raphinha's Rise Can't Be Ignored

Since joining Barcelona from Leeds, Raphinha has emerged as one of his side's most influential players. 

The Brazilian's eight goals helped Barca finish second in the league phase of the Champions League, including a hat-trick on his 100th appearance for the club in a 4-0 win over Bayern Munich. 

The winger is the fourth highest scorer in La Liga this season with 13 goals, with his latest coming in a 4-1 win at Sevilla.

Ballon d'Or 2025 Odds:

After bagging three goals and an assist across Barcelona's last-16 clash with Benfica, it comes as no surprise that Raphinha's odds have shortened significantly.

The 28-year-old  is now 3.25 to get his hands on the Ballon d'Or later this year.

Mbappe Continues To Impress

It's hard to believe people were questioning Kylian Mbappe's move to Real Madrid. 

In his first three months at the club he has netted 31 times in 46 appearances across all competitions.

While he didn’t score in Real Madrid’s Champions League last-16 triumph over Atletico Madrid, he remains firmly on course for European glory, which would see his 3.75 odds shorten drastically.

Real Madrid are locked in a three-way battle for La Liga title, alongside Barcelona and Atletico, and if Los Blancos come out as the Spanish champions then the Ballon d'Or could be Mbappe's.

Although, he could have to battle against his Madrid team-mates in Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham if Real dominate both on a domestic and European front.

Salah's Odds Take A Tumble

With 32 goals in 43 league and cup appearances for Liverpool this season, Salah is arguably playing the best football of his career.

The 32-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and there is no new deal in sight, could the Reds allow him to walk away from the club in the summer?

Salah is the top scorer in the Premier League with 27 goals, six more than nearest rival Erling Haaland. 

Salah was the 1.9 favourite for the award just a few weeks ago, but he is now available at 7.5 for the accolade.

Liverpool are 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League and Salah's goals can surely help the Reds to another title in the coming weeks, but a lack of Champions League glory might just cost him.

Dembele Enjoying A Sparkling Year

Since the turn of the year, Ousmane Dembele (11.0) has arguably been the best player in Europe.

The Frenchman has scored 21 goals in 2025, with his most recent coming in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League last-16 tie against Liverpool at Anfield.

As a result, he became the first player since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018 to score 21 goals in the first three months of a calendar year in official competitions with a club from Europe’s top five leagues.

PSG face Aston Villa in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and if he plays a significant role, the Ballon d’Or could be a real possibility.

Teenager Lamine Yamal Defies His Age  

There is a very good chance the Ballon d'Or award will find a new home in Spain. 

Lamine Yamal is surely set to win this award numerous times in what promises to be a glittering career. 

Yamal helped Spain win Euro 2024 last summer and he is part of a Barca side that is battling it out on three fronts in the Champions League, La Liga and the Copa del Rey. 

The 17-year-old is 11.0 to win the Ballon d'Or this year, but he might have to wait to get his hands on the biggest award given to a player. 

Vinicius Jr Gets Better And Better

One reason why Vinicius Jr is playing so well this season is the snub he received last season when he looked set to win the Ballon d'Or, only for Rodri to win it. 

If Real Madrid go on to win the Champions League and La Liga, then there is a very good chance the prestigious award will end up in the hands of Vinicius. 

The 24-year-old may have missed a penalty in Madrid’s last-16 clash with Atletico, but his team progressed, giving him another shot at redemption on the biggest stage.

Now, Vinicius is determined to make his case undeniable, to the point where voters have no choice but to crown him the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner.

Vinicius is 13.0 for Ballon d’Or glory with betting apps.

Lewandowski Still A Candidate

Like a fine wine, Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski is getting better with age. 

At 36, the Poland star is as prolific as he has ever been and his tally of 36 goals in 44 games this season, shows he still has what it takes to mix it at the top.

Lewandowski is well in the mix for this year's Ballon d'Or and it would make up for missing out to Lionel Messi in 2021 when many felt he should have won the award. 

If the striker can continue to find the back of the net regularly and help Barca to success domestically and in Europe, then his Ballon d'Or odds of 34.0 could return to the 16/1 they were back in February.

Bellingham And Kane In The Mix

No English player has won the Ballon d'Or since Liverpool's Michael Owen in 2001 and it's going to take something very special for that wait to end. 

Jude Bellingham is a 26.0 shot and he's going to have to produce a lot of magic in the closing months of the season for the Real Madrid man to stand a chance.

The same applies for Harry Kane (21.0). Bayern Munich are through to the last eight of the Champions League and with a six-point lead, are favourites to win a record-extending 34th Bundesliga title.

Others in the conversation include Barcelona midfielder Pedri (34.0) and Newcastle forward Alexander Isak (51.0).