Raphinha: 'Have to be friendly with voters' over Ballon d'Or snubs

Barcelona forward Raphinha criticised the “unfair” Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best snubs after a season in which he helped his side win La Liga, posted more than 60 goal involvements and scored 34 times. He finished fifth in the 2025 Ballon d'Or vote, behind Ousmane Dembele, Lamine Yamal, Vitinha and Mohamed Salah, and missed out on a top-three place in The Best poll.

“The truth is that recognition for your work is very special; in the end, well, knowing that you’ve given your best and receiving an award for it is very rewarding. For me, the most important thing is team awards, which is why I came to the club, but if I told you that individual awards weren’t important, I’d be lying,” he said.

He added that he felt the snubs were unfair: “I don’t owe anything to anyone. I know the season I had, and I know it was very unfair; in the end, it’s something we can’t control. I have no control over anything off the field. Ultimately, you have to be friendly with the people who vote.

raphinha, ballon d'or, fifa best, la liga, barcelona, goal involvements, 34 goals, ousmane dembele, lamine yamal, mohamed salah