Ousmane Dembele overwhelmingly won the 2025 Ballon d'Or, securing the award with 1,380 points. Lamine Yamal finished second with 1,059 points, followed by Vitinha (703) and Mohamed Salah (657). Raphinha placed fifth with 620 points.

"I am disappointed because I at least expected to be in the top three", Raphinha told Sofascore. "I know winning is difficult, as the Champions League heavily influences this award. However, I am not satisfied with my final position. If I could rank myself, I would place myself at number one."

Raphinha with the best player in the final award and the Spanish Super Cup trophy for the 2024-2025 season. *Photo: FC Barcelona*

The Brazilian forward believes an individual award should not solely depend on one competition. "I deserve to be at the top for what I showed throughout the season, including titles, statistics, and all my on-field contributions. I believe I deserved to win", he added.

During the 2024-2025 season, Raphinha scored 34 goals and provided 25 assists in 56 appearances across all competitions. His significant contributions helped Barca secure a domestic treble: La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. In the Champions League, he recorded 13 goals and 9 assists in 14 matches, though Barca exited the competition in the semi-finals.

Raphinha admitted that not winning the Champions League significantly impacted his Ballon d'Or chances. "I am gradually realizing that this award depends on many factors beyond my control", he stated. "If we consider the entire season, I believe I was the most deserving. I would rank Lamine second, Pedri third, and Dembele fourth."

Despite this, the 29-year-old emphasized that the 2025 Ballon d'Or voting results do not diminish his successful season with Barca. "I am satisfied and happy with what I have achieved. An individual award cannot overshadow the past season", Raphinha shared.

However, the Barca forward also acknowledged Dembele's victory. "If the award is heavily based on one competition, then Dembele is deserving, especially given his excellent season", Raphinha said.

Dembele received the 2025 Ballon d'Or following an explosive season. The 28-year-old forward scored 35 goals and provided 16 assists in 53 matches, leading PSG to victory in the Champions League, Ligue 1, the Coupe de la Ligue, and the Coupe de France. He became the sixth French player in history to win the Ballon d'Or, joining Michel Platini, Raymond Kopa, Zinedine Zidane, Jean-Pierre Papin, and Karim Benzema. This achievement also solidifies France's position as the country with the most individual Ballon d'Or winners.

Raphinha with the award presented by Sofascore. *Photo: Sofascore*

While he did not win the Ballon d'Or, Raphinha's performance garnered recognition through objective professional data. His consistent form throughout the season earned him two Player of the Season awards from Sofascore. These accolades are based purely on performance metrics and scores, independent of popularity or subjective voting. Raphinha was named the best player in La Liga with an average rating of 7,80 and the best player in the Champions League with a score of 8,24.

When questioned about his post-retirement plans, Raphinha explicitly ruled out coaching. "No, never. A coach's life is exhausting. You arrive earliest, leave latest, and practically live in hotels. That is unfair to family", he stated. The Barca star remains open to other roles in football, but considers coaching a "last resort".

Regarding his ambitions for 2026, Raphinha stated simply: "Win the World Cup". For him, all other objectives—from club titles and appearances to daily routines—revolve around this singular aspiration.

Hong Duy (via ESPN)