Brazilian forward Raphinha enjoyed an outstanding 2025 season, yet the Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best footballer went to Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembélé last September in Paris. The Barcelona forward finished fifth, a result that surprised many fans and pundits alike. Having remained silent on the matter for months, Raphinha has now broken his silence to express his disappointment.
In a recent interview with popular sports statistics and live score platform Sofascore, Raphinha shared his expectations, stating:
“I expected to be at least in the top three, so seeing the final result was disappointing. Honestly, I would have placed myself first.”
While acknowledging the importance of the Champions League in Ballon d’Or considerations, Raphinha believes that this individual accolade should not rely solely on a single tournament. He added,
“An individual award should not depend on just one competition. Considering the entire season—what I have achieved, the trophies I have won, and my performances on the pitch—I deserved the Ballon d’Or.”
Despite missing out on the award, Raphinha remains satisfied with his own performances. He reflected,
“I am happy with my season. Personal awards cannot erase what I have accomplished.”
Last season, Raphinha played 56 matches across all competitions for Barcelona, scoring 34 goals and providing 25 assists. His contributions were instrumental in helping the Catalan club secure La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists | Outcome / Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Liga | 38 | 21 | 16 | League winners |
| Copa del Rey | 8 | 5 | 4 | Trophy won |
| Spanish Super Cup | 3 | 3 | 1 | Trophy won |
| UEFA Champions League | 14 | 13 | 9 | Semi-finals exit |
| Total | 63 | 42 | 30 | Key player for all trophies |
In the Champions League, Raphinha scored 13 goals and provided nine assists in 14 matches. However, Barcelona were eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual champions PSG. Raphinha admitted that failing to win the Champions League was a significant barrier to Ballon d’Or contention:
“There are many factors involved in this award beyond my control.”
According to Raphinha, if the Ballon d’Or ranking were based purely on season-long performance, he would have topped the list, followed by Lamine Yamal in second, Pedri in third, and Dembélé in fourth.
Nevertheless, Ousmane Dembélé earned the prestigious accolade. In the 2024–25 season, the French forward played 53 matches across all competitions for PSG, scoring 35 goals and contributing significantly to the club achieving a treble—winning the Ligue 1, French Cup, and UEFA Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
Raphinha’s candid reflections highlight both his exceptional performances and the complexities of individual awards in football, where personal merit and team achievements do not always align.