Brazil legend, Cafu has said that the race for the next Ballon d’Or award is currently between Barcelona’s Raphinha and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Cafu recently revealed that the Egyptian forward is the only one standing in the way of Raphinha winning the prestigious award right now.
Speaking during an interview with the press, Cafu revealed that not many players can compete with Raphinha for the award because of his 31 goals and 25 assists thus far this season, and the fact that he recently broke Messi’s record is worthy of praise.
According to him, being the shining light in a team filled with superstars like Pedri, Yamal, Lewandowski, Gavi, De Jong is simply outstanding, and he is very pleased that a fellow Brazilian has managed to achieve that.
“I don’t see many players today who can compete with Raphinha, and I’d even say that between him and Mohamed Salah. I think they’re the two who will have a chance of winning the Ballon d’Or. Raphinha has 31 goals and 25 assists. He’s broken Messi’s record in a team considered the best in the world today, full of stars. It’s the heart, the defining element, the one that makes Barcelona play. And I’m very happy that he’s a Brazilian, a Brazilian who’s been standing out. He’s the team captain at a great club like Barca,” he said.
Cafu believes that there is a reason Raphinha is currently the captain at a great club like Barca, and while Salah is also having an amazing season in England, the ex-Leeds United forward should do enough to edge it after going further in the UCL.
He is of the opinion that despite the difficult moment the Brazilian national team is currently going through, Raphinha definitely has what it takes to inspire the nation, against all odds, to another World Cup trophy next year.
“Raphinha is always admired by everyone, especially us Brazilians. But the current moment the Brazilian national team is going through is different from that of the player, from that of the athlete that Raphinha is. He’s been playing football really well. The Brazilian national team needs him very much; they need his talent, his work… His work with the Brazilian national team could even help them win the next World Cup,” he added.
Meanwhile, Raphinha himself recently came out to say that he is not concentrating on winning the next Ballon d’Or with his performances, and he’ll only see such recognition as a bonus for his efforts if it happens at the end of the day.
The Brazilian forward, instead, backs his young teammate, Yamal, to win at least 3 Ballon d’Or plaques before retiring.
His words, “My goal is to be a better version of myself every day. If it happens, fine, but what matters to me are the collective titles.
Lamine is going to win quite a few Ballons d’Or… let us say three.”
