Raphinha Snubbed: Ballon d’Or Ranking Sparks Outrage
Paris, France – the recent Ballon d’Or rankings have ignited controversy, with Barcelona winger Raphinha conspicuously absent from the top three despite a stellar 2024/25 season.The omission has been met with disbelief from fans and analysts alike,questioning the criteria used in the selection process.
Raphinha’s performance for Barcelona last season was nothing short of extraordinary. In 69 appearances, the Brazilian international amassed an impressive 38 goals and 26 assists, contributing significantly to the club’s trophy haul. These statistics demonstrably surpass those of Ousmane Dembélé, who secured the top spot, with 35 goals and 16 assists for PSG, and Lamine Yamal, who finished second with 19 goals and 24 assists for Barcelona. even players like Vitinha and Mohammed Salah ranked ahead of Raphinha, a decision many find baffling.
The Ballon d’Or, awarded annually by France Football, recognizes the best male football player in the world. Established in 1956, the award initially focused solely on European players before opening to all nationalities in 1995. The voting process involves a panel of international journalists representing FIFA-affiliated nations. Criteria traditionally include individual performance, team success, and player conduct.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Raphinha has already begun the current season strongly, with three goals and two assists in his first five matches. He appears resolute to use this snub as motivation for continued success.
The Ballon d’Or has a long history of contentious decisions, frequently enough sparking debate about the subjective nature of evaluating footballing excellence. While the award remains the moast prestigious individual honor in the sport, the recent ranking of Raphinha has once again highlighted the challenges of objectively comparing players across different leagues and positions. The debate underscores the enduring passion and scrutiny surrounding the gorgeous game and its most celebrated stars.