Rafinha have completed a remarkable 2025, both on a personal and team level, and have become one of them FC Barcelona‘s most decisive players. However, the lack of major individual recognition has raised eyebrows among fans and the player himself. After Sunday’s game the Brazilian gave a sharp six-word response when asked about the Ballon d’Or.
Barcelona traveled to Villarreal on Sunday for Matchday 18 of La Liga, with Raphinha playing a key role in the 2-0 win on the road. In the 10th minute the winger drove into the penalty area and drew a penalty, which was converted a minute later to give the Blaugrana the leadanother example of his strong form.
As the match ended, Raphinha was on his way to the team bus through the mixed zone when he was reminded that Barcelona had ended the first half of the season as “winter champions.” He carefully downplayed it. However, when asked whether the Ballon d’Or will finally come his way this season, he replied bluntly: “Doesn’t matter. Not interesting to me.“
Raphinha’s comments stem not only from his fifth-place finish in the Ballon d’Or election, but also from his exclusion from several end-of-season awards. The frustration first surfaced after he was left out of the 2025 FIFPro Best XI and later omitted from FIFA’s The Best XI.
FC Barcelona’s Raphinha scores from the penalty spot against Villarreal.
Raphinhas 2025
Raphinha established himself as one of the top players of 2025, not only for his goalscoring contributions, but also for his influence on a Barcelona team that collected multiple trophies. During the 2024-2025 campaign the Brazilian won La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Reywhile falling just short in the UEFA Champions League final after a semi-final defeat to Inter Milan.
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At an individual level, Raphinha scored 34 goals and 26 assists in 57 games in all competitions. equaled Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League record with 21 goals in a single tournament. Despite finishing as both the league’s top scorer and top assistant, his only official recognition in 2025 was being named The MVP competition.
Raphinha supported by coach Flick
Raphinha’s response to the insults received widespread support on social media, but it was head coach Hansi Flick, who offered the strongest public support after the announcement of FIFA’s The Best XI.
Before the match against Villarreal at Saturday’s press conference, Flick did not hold back: “I’m not happy that you don’t ask me, because there is one situation… for me it’s not that important, because I don’t care who is the best or the best elf. But these FIFA The Best XI players are a joke, a real joke. When I see that there is no Raphinha, it is unbelievable.
“Raphinha was a player whose influence on this team was greatest last season. Also in the Champions LeagueFlick said, highlighting his record. ‘This really isn’t fair to him, and to me it’s a joke. I can’t believe he’s not in the best XI in the world, because after this season he deserved it. I think you completely agree with me,concluded the German boss.
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