The former Premier League stars joined presenter Kate Abdo in the CBS studio on Tuesday night for the inaugural edition of the Champions League knockout play-offs. ..Continue Reading
A late goal by Jude Bellingham has given Real Madrid a one-goal lead heading into their second leg against Manchester City next week, as Carlo Ancelotti’s team secured a thrilling 3-2 victory.
Ousmane Dembele maintained his exceptional form for Paris Saint-Germain, helping them to a 3-0 victory over fellow Ligue 1 side Brest. Meanwhile, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund also secured wins against PSV and Sporting, respectively.
Following the final whistle, Abdo, Richards, Henry, and Carragher discussed various topics, including Dembele’s improvement in front of goal and City’s pre-match Ballon d’Or tifo for Vinicius Junior.
Regarding the Ballon d’Or, the pundits shared their predictions for the next winner.
Carragher, who dedicated his entire 17-year career to Liverpool, named Mohamed Salah as the player who should receive the prestigious award, which was last won by Manchester City’s midfielder Rodri.
Thierry Henry agreed with the statement. “I’m with Jamie,” the Frenchman added. “Yeah, if he carries on like that.”
Even though he wasn’t sure as his fellow pundits, Micah Richards also named Salah as the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner. “He (Vinicius Junior) is my mate,” he added. “But probably Salah as well.”
Henry mentioned how it “all depends on what they will win” at the end of the campaign before Richards added: “Yeah, Vini or Salah.”
Back in December, Carragher explained why Salah – who has scored 26 goals in all competitions for Liverpool this campaign – is the “number one” contender for the next Ballon d’Or.
“I always think the Ballon d’Or revolves around an international tournament or the Champions League. It’s always difficult for Egypt – I don’t think they’ve won the Africa Cup of Nations with Salah – and obviously in a World Cup as well,” Carragher said.
“The fact there’s no tournament in the summer [helps Salah]. If Liverpool were to win the league and get into the Champions League final, or win it, [Kylian] Mbappe hasn’t started at Real Madrid as well as he would have liked, [Erling] Haaland is not at his best, I think those factors put together will be the best opportunity [Salah] has ever had to win the Ballon d’Or.”
Carragher added: “He’s probably number one right now. If he replicates what he’s done in the first half of the season [in the second half], I think he wins the Ballon d’Or.”
