Brazilian forward Raphinha enjoyed an outstanding 2025 season, yet the coveted Ballon d’Or award went to Paris Saint-Germain’s star, Ousmane Dembélé, at the ceremony in Paris last September. The Barcelona winger’s fifth-place finish surprised many fans and pundits alike. Having remained silent on the matter for months, Raphinha recently broke his silence, sharing his disappointment over the outcome.
In an interview with popular sports statistics and live score platform Sofascore, Raphinha revealed his expectations for the award: “I had hoped to be at least in the top three. I was disappointed with the result. Honestly, I would have placed myself first.”
While acknowledging the significance of the Champions League in deciding the Ballon d’Or, Raphinha emphasised that the footballer of the year should not be judged solely on a single competition. He explained, “A personal award shouldn’t rely on just one tournament. Considering everything I’ve done over the season—the trophies won, the performances on the pitch—I believe I deserved the Ballon d’Or.”
Despite not receiving the individual accolade, Raphinha remains content with his own performances. He added, “I am happy with the season I’ve had. Individual awards cannot erase my work.” Over the past season, Raphinha scored 34 goals and provided 25 assists in 56 matches across all competitions for Barcelona, playing a key role in helping the Catalan side secure La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
In the Champions League, Raphinha scored 13 goals and contributed nine assists in 14 matches. However, Barcelona were eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual champions PSG. Raphinha admitted that the club’s exit from the tournament was a major obstacle to his Ballon d’Or ambitions. “There are many factors beyond my control that influence this award,” he said. According to Raphinha, had the rankings been based purely on overall season performance, he would have been first, followed by Lamine Yamal in second, Pedri in third, and Dembélé in fourth.
Dembélé, however, ultimately lifted the prestigious award. The French forward scored 35 goals in 53 appearances for PSG last season, helping the club secure a historic treble—winning Ligue 1, the French Cup, and, for the first time in club history, the Champions League. His stellar performances were undeniably instrumental in PSG’s successes.
For a clearer comparison, the top contenders’ seasonal contributions are summarised below:
| Rank | Player | Club | Matches Played | Goals | Assists | Key Trophies Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raphinha | Barcelona | 56 | 34 | 25 | La Liga, Copa del Rey, Super Cup |
| 2 | Lamine Yamal | Barcelona | 52 | 28 | 18 | La Liga, Copa del Rey |
| 3 | Pedri | Barcelona | 50 | 20 | 22 | La Liga, Copa del Rey |
| 4 | Ousmane Dembélé | PSG | 53 | 35 | 14 | Ligue 1, French Cup, Champions League |
Raphinha’s comments reflect his belief that individual awards, while prestigious, cannot diminish the value of consistent performance across an entire season.
“The personal award cannot take away what I have achieved on the pitch. I am proud of the season I’ve had,” he concluded, highlighting his satisfaction despite missing out on football’s highest individual honour.