Barca star snubbed at FIFA Best 11 awards. None, for this superior Brazilian winger on the stage of this prestigious award.
Raphinha has been in superb form for both club and country over the last year, establishing himself as one of the world's elite wingers. Under Barca coach Hansi Flick, he was a pivotal figure, winning La Liga Player of the Season award. His brilliance extended to the continental stage, where he was the top scorer with 13 goals and also provided the most assists with nine in the Champions League, matching Cristiano Ronaldo's record for goal contributions in a single campaign.
For the Brazil national team, Raphinha has also been excellent. He scored in the 2024 Copa America and has been a key player in their World Cup qualification campaign, contributing with crucial goals and assists, cementing his spot in the starting lineup. He has become Barcelona's main attacking force, stepping up to deliver consistently decisive performances.
How is the FIFA Best XI decided?
Nominations were compiled by FIFA in collaboration with various football stakeholders. The winners were chosen through a combined voting process involving both a panel of football experts and fans who registered on FIFA.com. Selections from both the fans and the expert panel carried equal weight, regardless of the number of voters in each group. Players were awarded points based on the number of votes they received for their position within their respective voting group. The winner of The Best FIFA Men's Player Award was also automatically included in the team.
What next for Raphinha?
The Brazil star’s primary challenge is maintaining his exceptional form and driving Barcelona to the Champions League title, his personal obsession. He must continue to justify his key role under coach Hansi Flick amidst immense pressure and competition from Barca team-mates. Contract negotiations and lucrative Saudi links present a constant distraction,when his priority will be maintaining consistency for the Brazil national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.