'Ballon d'Or hopes are dead' - Fans rub salt in tearful Mohamed Salah's wounds after Liverpool's Champions League exit as Raphinha is backed as new Golden Ball frontrunner

Salah, who has had a stellar outing with Liverpool in the 2024-25 campaign so far, was being considered as one of the frontrunners to win the Ballon d'Or in 2025 until Liverpool's Champions League round of 16 second-leg fixture against Paris Saint-Germain. As the French champions progressed to the quarter-finals after beating the Reds 4-1 on penalties at Anfield on Tuesday, many fans claimed that Salah's hopes of winning the Golden Ball are now over. Salah was seen breaking down in tears after the defeat, and some social media users attempted to rub salt in his wounds.

On X, reacting to photos of the emotionally-drained Liverpool star, a fan named Juje Punter wrote: "Balon d'or hopes are dead now. That's his pain. The best chance he possibly got. Soon to be Raphina's award."

Barca Spaces posted: "No Ballon d’Or for him. It’s Raphinha’s."

An X handle named DesmundOris wrote: "He knows his chances of getting the Ballon D’Or just got slimmer. The fear of Raphinha is real."

MOOD-Football posted: "Salah gave everything this season, but football is cruel. From Ballon d'Or frontrunner to crashing out early, this one hurts deep."

Imran Rafiq sympathised with the Egyptian star as he wrote: "Mo Salah has had an outstanding season, but Liverpool's loss to PSG yesterday likely ended his Ballon d'Or chances. This Liverpool side relies heavily on him. He’s bailed them out countless times this season, but yesterday just wasn’t his night."

On the day Salah failed to deliver for his team, Barcelona winger Raphinha once again starred for his club with a brace as they thrashed Benfica 3-1 in ther second leg of their tie to progress to the quarter-finals 4-1 on aggregate. The Brazilian is now the top scorer in the Champions League with 11 goals to his name. He has also scored 13 goals in La Liga, which makes him the fourth-highest scorer in Spain. As Raphinha continues with his incredible form, he has now emerged as a serious contender to bag his maiden Ballon d'Or in France later this year.

Salah will now dust himself off before trying to bag his first trophy of the season for his club on Sunday as Liverpool lock horns against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.