Raphinha has criticised the voting process for the Ballon d'Or, insisting that "you have to be friendly with the people who vote" to win the award.
Despite recording 56 direct goal contributions (34 goals, 22 assists) for Barcelona in 57 appearances last season, the Brazilian winger finished fifth in the 2025 Ballon d'Or voting.
Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele won the award, while Lamine Yamal, Vitinha and Mohamed Salah all ranked above Raphinha.
After France Football and L'Equipe decide the 30-player shortlist, one journalist from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings then votes for their top 10, with points being awarded based on their position.
Raphinha helped Barcelona complete a domestic treble in the 2024-25 campaign, while they also reached the semi-finals of the Champions League before they were knocked out by Inter.
The 29-year-old did win the Toresky Award for Best Athlete of the Year, afterwards claiming that player relationships with journalists determine the outcome for individual awards.
"The truth is that recognition for your work is very special; in the end, well, knowing that you've given your best and receiving an award for it is very rewarding," he told Cadena SER.
"For me, the most important thing is team awards, which is why I came to the club, but if I told you that individual awards weren't important, I'd be lying.
"I don't owe anything to anyone. I know the season I had, and I know it was very unfair; in the end, it's something we can't control.
"I have no control over anything off the field. Ultimately, you have to be friendly with the people who vote.
"I'm someone who will deliver results on the field, and whatever happens, I'm satisfied with the season I've had."
Having already won the Supercopa de Espana this season, Barca are also fighting to win LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and go far in the Champions League.
Raphinha has struggled with injury problems since the start of the campaign, but will be eager to lift more silverware at the Camp Nou.
2muchmoney
1
JUST IMAGINE…. Ronaldo had to be fighting this system and still winning 5 b’dors means you have to overcome greatness for even those who hate you to have no choice but to accept your greatness
Omo sometimes Ronaldo fans can be something else when are you people when the same Ronaldo has been wining true the same process? Why do you all come out or him to go against them but anytime it’s against him lost it’s credibility
Yohabi1
1
We believe Raphinya. Ballon d'Or, UCL, World Cup, and EPL are rigged.
Haobinosu
1
JUST IMAGINE…. Ronaldo had to be fighting this system and still winning 5 b’dors means you have to overcome greatness for even those who hate you to have no choice but to accept your greatness
And he was robbed too in 2018
rapprstyz
1
JUST IMAGINE…. Ronaldo had to be fighting this system and still winning 5 b’dors means you have to overcome greatness for even those who hate you to have no choice but to accept your greatness
even Ronaldo himself robbed
yaoilotuy
0
Let it go bro
Haobinosu
6
JUST IMAGINE…. Ronaldo had to be fighting this system and still winning 5 b’dors means you have to overcome greatness for even those who hate you to have no choice but to accept your greatness
Supbcilnp
2
Man it's not your fault even your so called club did not support you
VceeOgun
0
Vini didn't deserve either just like Raphinha didn't deserve the pipo that won did actually deserve it... Rodri was pivotal just as Dembele was the star of the show for there respective teams with these two available for there sides wining is 100x guaranteed compared to Raphinha and Vini
One thing about we humans is dat we tend to c d truth but becus of hate we will choose one side & not say the truth. Even a lot of legend reacted & said openly dat it was vini dat deserved d award including Pep Guadiola but one thing about d award is dat if Dey want to rub someone Dey will come out with an analysis to defend themselves. This is y there has never been a standard analysis or criteria for d award, it keeps changing every season becus Dey keep changing it to tally with their excuses & lies
Zinbdlntuz
0
yamal wasn't supposed to make top 30 but his 2nd make it make sense
You are a big fool buttered soul
Hinacnrsty
2
yamal wasn't supposed to make top 30 but his 2nd make it make sense
do you watch ball at all,or you just feel like posting anything
cotdelsz
0
barca complaining now but when they did the very same thing to vini y'all were launching and cheering so funny when the tables turn
none sense bro vini didn't win it because of politics in the sports even the award it self put out that vini would win it then out of nowhere rodri win it vini score in the finals and win the champions League
GaddafiJamal
2
Can You Just Please Move On, Jeez. Everybody That Wins The Award Equally Deserves Just As You, Move On Already 🤦♂️
teybeimst
0
yamal wasn't supposed to make top 30 but his 2nd make it make sense
bwalyaalfred024
0
barca complaining now but when they did the very same thing to vini y'all were launching and cheering so funny when the tables turn
Vini didn't deserve either just like Raphinha didn't deserve the pipo that won did actually deserve it... Rodri was pivotal just as Dembele was the star of the show for there respective teams with these two available for there sides wining is 100x guaranteed compared to Raphinha and Vini
bwalyaalfred024
3
oh plz Raphinha I love you dearly buh u gotta understand that Dembele deserved the award 10x over you... keep up the good work and you'll win it some day...
cotdelsz
2
barca complaining now but when they did the very same thing to vini y'all were launching and cheering so funny when the tables turn
Kupabclrz
3
Rodcimrstu
4
raphinha had a great season even better than Yamal in terms of goals and assists but yet he was overlooked
Nabdeimt
3
Let it go man🤦🏾♂️
PerkinsTako
0
With barcelona having the press and paying jounalisr for stories, Yamal will always be ahead of you bro.
Absolutely. He is from their academy. Pushing for the wrong guy instead of the right guy.
secaelmru
4
With barcelona having the press and paying jounalisr for stories, Yamal will always be ahead of you bro.
bedcdepuz
1
why didn't he also slam Barca and princess Yamal
Cuxie
0
raphinha to win
Lipdekrz
1
Yamal will do same as messi on barca as you both playing on the same team
Lipdekrz
2
you can never smell it again anymore as long you in barca
Lipdekrz
1
it's the same way Madrid took vini over Bellingham this while vini lost the balloon D'or
Lipdekrz
2
last season you played good football more than everyone on your club team but you allowed them to fooled you as a smart Brazilian to put Yamal ahead of you
Lipdekrz
0
blame your club
The_Phoenix
2
This one was on Barca and it’s fans for hyping the wrong candidate
Litelntz
1
dhuh but when cristi the goat criticised it he is just throw shades at messi and barca ok
Daodeiosty
2
Blame it on your Club supporting Yamal ahead of you
towaeprt
2
agreed