Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. has been selected by former England manager Sam Allardyce as the guy who ought to take home the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
The former Bolton Wanterers manager chose Vinicius Jr. for the prize instead of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Allardyce, 70, claimed that because Real Madrid did not attend the event last year, the Egyptian has “no chance.”
After helping Real Madrid win the UCL and La Liga with 25 goals and 11 assists in 40 games, the Brazil international was heavily favored to win the Ballon d’Or last year.
Rodri of Manchester City, who assisted Spain in winning the 2024 European Championship, defeated the Brazilian to win the prize.
While Vinicius’ Brazil lost badly in the 2024 Copa America quarterfinals, Rodri also won the Premier League title.
With 17 goals and 10 assists in 34 games so far this season, Vinicius Jr. has maintained his impressive play.
Salah, however, has made 39 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, tallying a staggering 30 goals and 22 assists.
According to Allardyce, Salah has no chance because of the situation.
Remember last year, when there were signs that Vinicius might not win, he declined to go to the award ceremony?
According to Allardyce, the hosts of the award, France Football magazine, will not want the incident to happen again. “There’s no chance (for Salah to win). It’ll be Vinicius Jr because of what Real Madrid did last year (boycott).
“They (France Football) will be absolutely sh*tting themselves because they won’t turn up again if one of them doesn’t win it, so one of them will win it. You might as well have a bet on it now.”
