It’s a well-known fact that we make the numbers say what we want. And what is certain is that statistics, in a debate, do not often succeed in getting everyone to agree. The proof with the controversies which followed the awarding of the Ballon d’Or to Rodri to the detriment of Vinicius Jr.
The Brazilian’s supporters highlight his statistics from last season: 26 goals and 12 assists in all competitions. Great performances, of course, but clearly not those of a player who would have flown through the season. The proof: these figures (which are not enough to summarize the quality of Vinicius’ season, let’s be clear) are comparable to those of Florian Thauvin during his best season with OM.
Vinicius is less strong than Salah
Obviously, the comparison is quite humiliating for Vinicius Jr. Here is another, not very flattering: the Brazilian’s “Ballon d’Or” season is barely better from an accounting point of view… than Mohamed Salah’s less good season at Liverpool.
Since 2017-2018, seven seasons in a row, the Egyptian has compiled at least 36 goals and assists. His “worst” season was the 2019-2020 financial year, the one where Liverpool finished as champions of England. The Ballon d’Or was not awarded in 2020, and Salah, after the Reds’ success in the Champions League in 2019, finished 5th in the Ballon d’Or (his best ranking).
Last season, Salah compiled 25 goals and 13 assists. That’s as many goal contributions as Vinicius in 2023-2024 and, yet, the Liverpool striker wasn’t even among the 30 finalists for the Ballon d’Or. The Pharaoh was undoubtedly not helped by the performance of his team, which was satisfied with a victory in the League Cup. But, individually, he had still responded.
