Raphinha has criticized the Ballon d’Or voting process, insisting that “you have to be friendly to the people who vote” to win the award.
Despite recording 56 direct goal contributions (34 goals, 22 assists) for Barcelona in 57 appearances last season, the Brazilian winger finished fifth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé won the award, while Lamine Yamal, Vitinha and Mohamed Salah came in ahead of Raphinha.
After France Football and L’Equipe decide the shortlist of 30 players, a journalist from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings votes for their top 10, and points are awarded based on their position.
Raphinha helped Barcelona complete a domestic treble in the 2024-25 campaign, while also reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League before being eliminated by Inter.
The 29-year-old won the Toresky award for best athlete of the year and later claimed that players’ relationships with journalists determine the outcome of individual awards.
“The truth is that the recognition of your work is very special; in the end, well, knowing that you have given your best and receiving an award for it is very gratifying,” he told Cadena SER.
“For me the most important thing is the team awards, that’s why I came to the Club, but if I told you that individual awards were not important, I would be lying to you.
“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 to the people who vote.
“I’m someone who will deliver results on the field and no matter what happens, I’m pleased with the season I’ve had.”
Having already won the Spanish Super Cup this season, Barça is also fighting to win LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and go far in the Champions League.
Raphinha has had injury problems since the start of the campaign, but will be keen to lift more trophies at the Camp Nou.
