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There’s always drama when Ballon d’Or season rolls around. And this year, Cafu — Brazil’s iconic right-back — has stepped into the spotlight with a pick that’s raised more than a few eyebrows.
No, it’s not Vinicius Jr. or Mohamed Salah. The World Cup-winning captain believes the top prize in world football should go to Barcelona’s Raphinha this season.
That’s right — Cafu’s pick isn’t just playing beautiful football, he’s doing it when it matters most.
The Barca winger has delivered on both domestic and European stages, helping Hansi Flick’s side reach the Champions League semifinals.
While name of Mohamed Salah has been floated all season, Cafu’s vote has gone in a different direction — and he’s not backing down.
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Cafu explains why Raphinha could win Ballon d’Or this season
“Raphinha has deserved the Ballon d’Or for some time,” Cafu told MARCA. “This year, even more so, because of his numbers and everything he’s done — not just in LaLiga, but also in the Champions League.”
And the stats back him up. Raphinha has racked up 29 goals and 17 assists in all competitions.
That includes clutch performances in Europe, with goals against Bayern and Benfica keeping Barcelona alive in the knockout rounds.
In short — he’s not just dancing with the ball, he’s dancing past defenders when the stakes are highest.
Still, Cafu isn’t closing the door on other big names. In fact, he believes Salah and Vinicius will have their moment sooner rather than later.
“We can certainly consider Mohamed Salah one of the best and greatest players in the world right now,” Cafu told WinWin. “I think it’s only a matter of time until Mohamed Salah or Vinicius Junior wins the Ballon d’Or.”
While Raphinha’s star is rising fast, the Ballon d’Or voters love Champions League magic — and right now, he’s bringing the heat.
Salah and Vinicius may need to bide their time, but Cafu’s crystal ball sees their names etched in gold someday soon.
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Vishal Bhawani is a sub-editor for the Affiliate Content team and a writer and sub-editor for the Football Wires team at The Sporting News. Based in Indore, India, he holds a Diploma in Operations and Management from Maharashtra University.
Before joining TSN in May 2024, Vishal contributed to Football Express and Six Sports and ran his own blog, Anfield Home, as a passionate Liverpool fan. An avid traveler, he follows multiple sports, including cricket, soccer, and tennis.
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