Who is at the forefront of the Ballon d'Or competition as Salah, Vini, and Mbappe lag behind?

 Who is at the forefront of the Ballon d'Or competition as Salah, Vini, and Mbappe lag behind?

The newly formed attacking trio of Lewandowski, Rafinha, and Yamal at Barcelona has demonstrated impressive performance this season.

At the beginning of March, hope was vibrant at Anfield. Liverpool was pursuing a remarkable treble—comprising the Premier League, Champions League, and League Cup. Central to this ambition was Mohamed Salah, who was performing at an exceptional level. Discussions surrounding Salah potentially winning the Ballon d'Or were intensifying daily.

Salah, determined to depart Liverpool with the distinction of being recognized as the world's best player, seemed on the verge of realizing that ambition. However, within a mere five days, everything fell apart. Liverpool was eliminated from the Champions League in the Round of 16 and suffered a defeat in the League Cup final against Newcastle. In an instant, two of the three titles had slipped away.

The exit from the Champions League not only dashed Liverpool's hopes but also severely impacted Salah's chances for the Ballon d'Or. Despite an impressive Premier League tally of 27 goals and 18 assists in 33 matches, the absence of trophies could prove detrimental to his candidacy. At this juncture, only an extraordinary turn of events could shift the momentum in Salah's favor.

He is not alone in this predicament. Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham have also seen their Ballon d'Or ambitions fade, all falling victim to the same misfortune—failure in the Champions League. Real Madrid, typically dominant in Europe, exited in the quarterfinals and are also trailing Barcelona in the La Liga title race.

                                                              Salah's frustrationAFP

Barcelona currently leads La Liga by four points and is favored to secure the championship. While Real Madrid still has a chance, even a league victory may not suffice to reinstate Vini or Mbappe in the Ballon d'Or discussions—especially in the absence of remarkable individual performances this season.

Nevertheless, the forthcoming Club World Cup, featuring Real Madrid but not Barcelona, could present a pivotal opportunity. Should Vini or Mbappe deliver an extraordinary performance on that platform, the narrative could shift dramatically. However, that remains a significant uncertainty.

Harry Kane was another contender in the race. With an impressive tally of 36 goals and 12 assists across 43 matches, his performance has been remarkable. However, following Bayern Munich's exit from the Champions League in the quarterfinals, Kane now finds himself lagging behind in the competition.

As several prominent players have been eliminated from contention, the question emerges: who is currently leading the race for the Ballon d'Or?

At present, Raphinha stands as the frontrunner. The Brazilian winger is enjoying an outstanding season with Barcelona, having scored 30 goals and provided 23 assists in 48 matches. Beyond his statistics, Raphinha has been a game-changer, significantly impacting the outcomes with his contributions. If Barcelona secures both the league title and the Champions League, Raphinha will be a formidable candidate.

                                   Harry Kane looking forward to winning his first trophy Reuters

Close behind is Ousmane Dembélé. The French forward has already clinched the Ligue 1 title with PSG and is now striving for Champions League success. With 32 goals and 11 assists in 42 games, Dembélé's impact has been substantial. If PSG triumphs in the Champions League, his chances for the Ballon d'Or will greatly increase.

Next is Lamine Yamal, the teenage prodigy. He is currently one of the most inventive players in football. With 14 goals and 22 assists in 46 appearances, he has been a crucial asset for Barcelona this season. However, for Yamal to be a serious contender, Barcelona must achieve victory in both La Liga and the Champions League. If they do, he will find himself in direct competition with his teammate Raphinha for the prestigious award.

Lastly, Robert Lewandowski remains a significant name in the conversation. With 40 goals in 48 matches, his performance continues to be exceptional. However, being part of the same team as Raphinha and Yamal may dilute his chances, as internal competition could divide the votes and weaken his bid for the award.

       Kylian Mbappe (left) and Vinicius Junior have also fallen behind in the Ballon d'Or race. UEFA

Lastly, it is important not to overlook Lautaro Martínez. The Argentine striker is enjoying an impressive season with Inter Milan, having scored 21 goals and provided 6 assists in 44 matches. Should Inter secure the Serie A title and advance significantly in the Champions League, Lautaro could emerge as a dark horse in the competition.

Currently, the race for the Ballon d'Or remains highly competitive. However, with Salah, Mbappé, and Vini stepping back, this presents a prime opportunity for players like Raphinha, Dembélé, and Yamal to ascend and potentially reshape the landscape of football for a new generation.