Barcelona winger Raphinha has found himself at the centre of a major footballing debate after being left out of several prestigious individual honours, despite producing one of the most productive seasons of his career. The Brazilian attacker was excluded from the FIFA Best XI 2025, the Ballon d’Or Top Three for 2024, and the FIFPRO Best XI voted by players, triggering widespread criticism across social media.
According to figures circulating online, Raphinha enjoyed a sensational 2024/25 campaign, registering 38 goals and 24 assists in 64 appearances across all competitions. His contributions played a crucial role in Barcelona’s trophy-laden season, as the club secured the La Liga title, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. With a combined 62 goal contributions, many fans and pundits expected the winger to be firmly in contention for individual recognition.
However, his absence from the final shortlists has raised serious questions about the criteria used for these awards. Popular football account LiveHereWeGo highlighted the snubs in a viral post, pointing out that Raphinha was “left out” across all major individual selections despite outperforming several shortlisted players statistically.
The controversy intensified after Raphinha’s wife, Taia, shared what were described as “clear messages” on social media, expressing frustration over the perceived injustice.
