Raphinha set to miss Ballon d’Or shortlist despite 15-goal Barcelona start
Raphinha will not be among the Ballon d’Or nominees when the awards ceremony takes place in London on Monday, October 26, despite his explosive start to the new campaign.
What we know
- The Barcelona forward has scored 15 goals in 10 appearances for club and country this season.
- He has struck consecutive La Liga hat-tricks against Racing Santander and Sevilla, making a faster start at Camp Nou than Ronaldo Nazario and Lionel Messi managed.
- Raphinha produced 34 goals and 25 assists across the 2024-25 season and finished fifth in the previous Ballon d’Or vote, behind Ousmane Dembele, Lamine Yamal, Vitinha and Mohamed Salah. He said he was upset by that result.
- Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Raphinha was “far too good” to be left off the list, while sporting director Deco called the omission of both Raphinha and Pedri from the top 30 “a scandal”.
- Sevilla coach Luis Garcia, whose side were beaten by a Raphinha-inspired display, said the Brazilian is a match-winner who “does everything”. Former Barcelona manager Quique Setien said he would hand him the prize immediately.
- Former Brazil international Anderson believes Raphinha merits consideration among the world’s best on club form, but said stronger Brazil performances are needed to match the international impact of Yamal, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane.
What happens next
Raphinha will be absent when the Golden Ball is awarded in London. Barcelona team-mate Yamal, Rodri and Bayern Munich and England striker Kane are among the leading contenders. Raphinha’s focus now returns to sustaining his remarkable scoring run for Barcelona and Brazil ahead of the next awards cycle.
