Barcelona's Raphinha expressed disappointment at not winning the 2025 Ballon d'Or, which went to Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembélé. Raphinha, who finished fifth, felt his performances deserved a higher ranking. He cited his contributions of 34 goals and 25 assists across all competitions as reasons for his claim.

The Brazilian winger believed his numbers and titles, including LaLiga and the Copa del Rey, warranted a top-three finish. He acknowledged the Champions League's influence on the award but maintained his individual season deserved recognition. Raphinha's impressive stats included 13 goals and 9 assists in the Champions League, where Barcelona reached the semi-finals.

Despite the individual setback, Raphinha remained proud of his season. He recognized external factors influenced the outcome. The Ballon d'Or is a prestigious award, and the outcome is often debated. Winning the Champions League is usually a major factor in determining the winner, and Barcelona fell short.

The Ballon d'Or is given annually to the best player in the world. Several factors are considered, including individual performance, team achievements, and overall impact. The award is often dominated by players from teams that have success in the Champions League, Europe's most prestigious club competition.