Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has launched a scathing attack on FIFA’s Best XI selection, branding the omission of Raphinha as “laughable” and deeply unjust. Speaking ahead of Barcelona’s La Liga clash against Villarreal, the German tactician raised the issue unprompted during his pre-match press conference, making it clear that the decision had left him both surprised and frustrated.
Raphinha enjoyed a truly outstanding campaign last season, emerging as one of Barcelona’s most influential players across all competitions. The 29-year-old Brazilian winger registered an extraordinary 34 goals and 26 assists, numbers that placed him among Europe’s elite attacking performers. His relentless work rate, tactical intelligence and decisive contributions were instrumental in Barcelona’s domestic dominance, as the Catalan giants secured the La Liga title, lifted the Copa del Rey and claimed the Spanish Super Cup. On the continental stage, Barcelona also reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2019.
Despite those achievements, Raphinha’s name was conspicuously absent when FIFA unveiled its Best XI earlier this week. Instead, attacking and midfield positions went to high-profile names such as Ousmane Dembélé, Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham and Barcelona’s own teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal.
Clearly unimpressed, Flick did not hide his feelings. “You didn’t even ask me about this, and that in itself is disappointing,” he said. “Normally I don’t spend much time thinking about individual awards, but this Best XI selection is genuinely laughable. Truly laughable. I was shocked when I didn’t see Raphinha’s name.”
The FIFA Best XI is determined by votes from national team captains, head coaches, journalists and fans worldwide. This year’s line-up includes Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, defenders Achraf Hakimi, Willian Pacho, Virgil van Dijk and Nuno Mendes, alongside midfielders Vitinha and Pedri.
What further fuelled the controversy was the voting outcome. Raphinha reportedly received just 12 points—fewer than both Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé—despite his remarkable statistical output.
Flick was unequivocal in his defence of the Brazilian: “Raphinha was the most decisive player in that entire group. In the Champions League alone, he was involved in 22 goals, the highest tally in the competition. The way he played, the goals he scored, the assists he provided—it was all extraordinary. This decision is completely unfair, and honestly, I still can’t believe it.”
Raphinha’s 2023–24 Season at a Glance
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Goals (All Competitions) | 34 |
| Assists (All Competitions) | 26 |
| Total Goal Contributions | 60 |
| Champions League Goal Involvement | 22 |
| FIFA Best XI Voting Points | 12 |
Raphinha’s current season has been disrupted by injury, forcing him to miss nine matches. However, since returning in late November, he has quickly rediscovered his rhythm, scoring in three of his last four appearances.
He is expected to spearhead Barcelona’s attack against third-placed Villarreal on Sunday. Flick, however, confirmed that midfielder Pedri will miss the match due to a hamstring issue. “Pedri won’t play,” Flick explained. “The injury isn’t serious, but taking a risk would be unnecessary. I expect him to be ready for the next game.”
As debate continues over FIFA’s selection criteria, one thing remains clear: Raphinha’s performances on the pitch have spoken louder than any voting panel.