Raphinha's Outrage: An 'Unfair' Snub for Barcelona's Talisman
The football world is buzzing after Barcelona star Raphinha unleashed a scathing critique of the individual awards system, branding his 2025 Ballon d'Or and FIFA Best snubs as "very unfair." Despite a monumental season for the Catalan giants, the Brazilian winger believes he was unjustly overlooked.
Key Takeaways from Raphinha's Awards Outburst
- Raphinha netted a personal best of 34 goals for Barcelona in the season leading up to the 2025 awards.
- He finished a surprising fifth in the Ballon d'Or voting, trailing Ousmane Dembele, Lamine Yamal, Vitinha, and Mohamed Salah.
- The Brazilian openly suggested that "friendliness" with voters might influence individual award outcomes.
- Despite personal grievances, Raphinha reaffirms his dedication to securing more silverware for Barcelona.
In a candid interview, Raphinha didn't hold back his feelings about the 2025 individual accolades. His sensational **34-goal** campaign, a career-best, saw him become an undeniable talisman for **Barcelona**, yet it wasn't enough to secure a top-three finish in either the **Ballon d'Or** or The Best awards.
The winger expressed his frustration, stating: "I know the season I had, and I know it was very unfair. Ultimately, you have to be friendly with the people who vote. I’m someone who will deliver results on the field, and whatever happens, I’m satisfied with the season I’ve had." This pointed remark hints at a perceived political aspect to the voting process, beyond pure on-field merit.
The 2025 Ballon d'Or: Who Edged Out Raphinha?
The prestigious Ballon d'Or for 2025 was eventually claimed by Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele, who had a **Champions League**-winning season. The voting saw Raphinha land in **fifth place**, behind the likes of **Dembele**, **Lamine Yamal**, **Vitinha**, and **Mohamed Salah**.
While the biggest individual prizes eluded him, Raphinha did receive the **Toresky Award** for the Best Athlete of the Year in Spain. "Recognition for your work is very special," he admitted, acknowledging the value of personal accolades while maintaining his focus on team success.
Catalunya Calling: A Dream Realized On and Off the Pitch
Since his move from **Leeds United** in 2022, Raphinha has firmly established himself at **Camp Nou**. Despite facing occasional transfer speculation, the 29-year-old remains delighted with his life in Spain, a sentiment that extends beyond the pitch.
"Honestly, I think that, beyond the team, living in this city was a dream. We really love the beach and being in a city with wonderful weather," Raphinha shared. His happiness in Barcelona, coupled with the affection from the fans, has clearly made the city feel like home.
Chasing Glory: Barcelona's Ambitions and Raphinha's Focus
This **2025-26 season** has seen Raphinha continue to perform at a high level, notching **13 goals** despite some fitness setbacks. He is a vital component in **Hansi Flick's** squad, competing for minutes alongside talent like **Manchester United** loanee **Marcus Rashford** and the prodigious **Lamine Yamal**.
Barcelona is currently locked in a fierce battle for major silverware. They've already secured the **Spanish Super Cup** and hold a narrow one-point lead over rivals **Real Madrid** in **La Liga**. Their campaigns in the **Champions League** and **Copa del Rey** also continue with high hopes.
For Raphinha, the focus is squarely on **Barcelona's** performance. "Honestly, I don’t pay attention to any of the other teams. I think we have to do our job, and if we do it well, we don’t care about the others," he affirmed, underscoring the team-first mentality as they push for a treble.
Mentoring a Prodigy: Raphinha's Take on Lamine Yamal
With **Lamine Yamal** emerging as a generational talent, many expect him to lift a **Ballon d'Or** in the future. When asked if he teases the 18-year-old about awards, Raphinha was quick to praise his teammate.
"Nah, nah. In the end, Lamine also deserves the awards he’s won and the ones he hasn’t, which I also think many have been very unfair to him," Raphinha said, adding that **Yamal** is a young player with an incredible future ahead, destined for many individual honors.
As **Barcelona** prepares for their **Copa del Rey** semi-final against **Atletico Madrid** and a crucial **La Liga** clash with **Girona**, Raphinha's determination to deliver on the field remains unwavering, regardless of the perceived injustices of individual awards.
