Full Breakdown
Raphinha Expresses Disappointment Over Ballon d'Or Ranking
1/30/2026, 10:14:30 PM
Raphinha's Performance and Expectations
Barcelona forward Raphinha has publicly expressed his disappointment regarding his fifth-place finish in the 2025 Ballon d'Or rankings. The award was won by Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembélé, who had a standout season, contributing significantly to his team's success, including a historic Champions League victory. Raphinha, who scored 34 goals and provided 25 assists in 56 appearances, believes his performance warranted a higher recognition, stating, "I expected to be in the top three at least."
The Weight of the Champions League
Raphinha acknowledged that the Champions League plays a crucial role in determining the Ballon d'Or winner. He stated, "I knew winning would be difficult because the Champions League counts a lot for this award." Despite his impressive statistics, he recognized that not winning the Champions League impacted his chances. He noted, "I ended up understanding that it involves a lot of things that I can't control."
Dembélé's Triumph and Raphinha's Perspective
Ousmane Dembélé's achievement in winning the Ballon d'Or was attributed to his exceptional season, where he scored 35 goals in 53 appearances, helping PSG secure the treble, including their first Champions League title. Raphinha conceded that Dembélé deserved the award based on the competition's criteria, stating, "Since the award is based on a single competition, Dembélé deserved to win, especially because he delivered a spectacular season."
Official Statements and Responses
In his remarks, Raphinha emphasized his satisfaction with his overall season, asserting, "I'm very satisfied with the season I had — and no individual award will erase what I did last season." He maintained that his contributions should have placed him higher in the rankings, expressing a belief that individual accolades should reflect a player's entire season rather than a single tournament.
Criticism of the Ranking System
Raphinha's sentiments have resonated with many fans and analysts who argue that the Ballon d'Or should consider a player's overall contributions rather than focusing predominantly on Champions League success. This perspective highlights a growing debate about the criteria used to evaluate individual excellence in football.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I was upset because I expected to be at least in the top three,” — Raphinha, Barcelona Forward
- “In my opinion, I think an individual award shouldn't be based on a single competition.” — Raphinha, Barcelona Forward
- “Speaking in an interview with Sofascore, as cited by Livescore, Barcelona standout Raphinha admitted: ”I think I deserved to win.” — Raphinha, Barcelona Forward
Conclusion
Raphinha's reflections on his Ballon d'Or ranking underscore the complexities of individual recognition in football, particularly in relation to team achievements. As discussions continue regarding the criteria for such awards, Raphinha's case exemplifies the challenges players face in balancing personal performance with the outcomes of team competitions.
