Wife’s Sarcastic Jibe Highlights Outrage as Yamal, Dembélé Garner Awards
The FIFA Best awards in London on Monday night delivered a story of dazzling acclaim and glaring omission for Barcelona, highlighting both the club’s bright future and a decision that has left fans and family baffled.
While 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal cemented his status as a global superstar—finishing third in the Best Player vote and earning a spot in the prestigious FIFA Best XI—his prolific teammate Raphinha was shockingly left out of the final lineup, despite a career-best season.
The snub ignited immediate fury online, culminating in a pointed comment from Raphinha’s wife, Natália Belloli, who wrote sarcastically on social media: “Is Raphinha a basketball player?” Her post captured the bewilderment of many, given the Brazilian winger’s remarkable 2025: a club-leading 24 goals, the La Liga Player of the Season award, and finishing as the UEFA Champions League’s top scorer and assist provider.
“It’s an incredible honor, but this is for my teammates and coaches who trust me every day,” said a humble Yamal after the ceremony, his rapid rise from academy starlet to Ballon d’Or contender now complete with this global recognition.
The evening also served as a showcase for Barcelona’s past. Former Blaugrana winger Ousmane Dembélé, now at Paris Saint-Germain, claimed the top prize as the Best FIFA Men’s Player after a season for the ages in France. Similarly, ex-player and manager Luis Enrique was named Best Men’s Coach for leading PSG to a historic quadruple.
Alongside Yamal, Barcelona midfielder Pedri was named in the Best XI, a selection otherwise dominated by PSG’s triumphant squad, including defender Achraf Hakimi and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The voting lists revealed high-profile support for the Barça contingent. Lionel Messi placed Dembélé first and Yamal third in his player ballot, while Robert Lewandowski showed his loyalty by voting Yamal first and the omitted Raphinha second—a subtle endorsement in a night that celebrated one young star but left another’s monumental season curiously unrecognized.
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- PSG President Claims Ballon d’Or ‘Has a Problem’ If Dembele Doesn’t Win
- Raphinha’s Hat-Trick Powers Barcelona to 4-1 Victory Over Bayern Munich
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