I Felt I Deserved the Ballon d’Or

Raphinha enjoyed a stellar 2025 season, yet when the Ballon d’Or was awarded in Paris last September, the prestigious accolade for the world’s best footballer went to PSG’s star, Ousmane Dembélé. The Barcelona forward finished in fifth place, a ranking that surprised many observers. Until now, Raphinha had remained silent on the matter, but he recently broke his silence, expressing his disappointment.

In an exclusive interview with the popular sports statistics and live-score platform, SofaScore, Raphinha reflected on his expectations for the 2025 Ballon d’Or: “I expected to at least be in the top three, so naturally I was disappointed with the outcome. Honestly, I would have put myself first.”

While acknowledging the importance of the Champions League in determining the award, the Brazilian insists that football’s highest individual honour should not rely solely on a single tournament. “A personal award shouldn’t hinge on one competition,” he said. “If you look at the entire season — the trophies won and the performances on the pitch — I believe I was worthy of the Ballon d’Or.”

Despite missing out on the award, Raphinha remains satisfied with his own performances. “I am proud of the season I had. An individual award cannot erase the work I’ve done,” he added. Over the course of the season, he scored 34 goals and provided 25 assists in 56 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona. His remarkable contribution helped the Catalan side secure La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

In the Champions League, Raphinha netted 13 goals and provided nine assists in 14 matches, though Barcelona were eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual champions PSG. He conceded that failing to win the Champions League posed a significant obstacle to Ballon d’Or contention. “There are many factors involved in this award beyond my control,” he said. According to Raphinha, if the Ballon d’Or rankings were determined purely on overall seasonal performance, he would have led the list, followed by Lamine Yamal in second, Pedri third, and Dembélé fourth.

Raphinha’s 2025 Season Performance:

Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembélé enjoyed a similarly impressive campaign for PSG, scoring 35 goals in 53 appearances across all competitions and playing a pivotal role in the French club’s historic treble — Ligue 1, French Cup, and their first-ever Champions League triumph. While Raphinha’s individual brilliance was undeniable, the team’s Champions League success ultimately tipped the scales in Dembélé’s favour.

Raphinha’s candid reflections highlight the delicate balance between personal accolades and team achievements in football, and underline that individual awards, while prestigious, are often shaped by factors beyond a player’s control.