The Barcelona captain, finishing fifth, argues individual awards should be based on the entire season, not “a single competition.”
In a candid and personal reflection, Barcelona captain Raphinha has expressed his disappointment and sense of injustice after being overlooked in the 2025 Ballon d’Or race, insisting he believed he had earned football’s top individual honor.
Despite a standout season that yielded multiple team trophies, the Brazilian winger finished a distant fifth. The award went to Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé, with Raphinha’s own teammate Lamine Yamal second and PSG’s Vitinha third.
“I was upset. I expected more. I expected to be in the top three at least,” Raphinha admitted in an exclusive interview with Sofascore. “I knew winning would be difficult because the Champions League weighs a lot. So I was upset with the position I ended in.”
While frustrated, the 28-year-old showed a pragmatic side, acknowledging factors beyond his control. Yet, his competitive fire was unmistakable as he laid out his case for the top spot.
“Myself, personally, I would place myself first,” he stated firmly. “It is my understanding that an individual award cannot be based on a single competition… for the titles I won, for the numbers I achieved, and for everything I contributed on the pitch, I think I deserved to win.”
He conceded that under the current criteria—which he implied overvalues the Champions League—Dembélé was a worthy winner and praised Yamal’s “spectacular season.” But in Raphinha’s view, a season-long assessment would have crowned him champion, with Yamal and Pedri completing his personal podium and Dembélé fourth.
The remarks reveal the quiet sting of a captain who feels his comprehensive contributions were undervalued, framing a debate about what the Ballon d’Or truly rewards: a moment of European glory or a year of consistent excellence.
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