Raphinha INSISTS He DESERVED to Win the Ballon d’Or OVER Dembélé
Raphinha reveals his top 3 and claims he should have won the Ballon d’Or, sparking controversy after missing out on top 3 last season.
Raphinha still feels the sting of missing out on the Ballon d’Or last season, especially after not making the top three despite strong performances for Barcelona.
In a recent interview, the Brazilian laid out how he really felt about the whole Ballon d’Or situation.
I was disappointed,
— Raphinha
I expected more. I expected to be at least in the top 3." "I knew it would be tough to win because the Champions League carries a lot of weight. That's why I was disappointed by the position I finished.
— Raphinha
But he also acknowledged there’s a lot beyond his control.
I understand that there are many things that don’t depend on me. Many things that are complicated and hard to emphasize constantly. What I can say is that I’m very happy with the season I had – and no individual award will erase what I achieved last season.
— Raphinha
The interviewer then asked him how he would rank his personal top 3.
And what would be your top 3? If you could choose at the end of the season – you’d put yourself third, right?
— Interviewer
Personally, I’d put myself first.
— Raphinha
Raphinha insisted:
Yes, I’d put myself first! Stop with this noise! If it were up to me... this is just nonsense. In my opinion, an individual award can’t be based on a single tournament. On that basis, I think I deserved to be first because of what I showed throughout the season, the titles I won, the numbers I posted, and everything I gave on the pitch. I think I deserved to win. Since the award basically focuses on one competition, Dembélé deserved to win it, especially since he had an impressive season too. Lamine also had a great season. But in my opinion, if you look at the whole season, I think I deserved the award.
— Raphinha
When asked who else would be in his top 3, Raphinha said:
I’ll back my team. I’d put Lamine and Pedri.
— Raphinha
Okay. Pedri is third? So Dembélé is fourth, right?
— Interviewer
Fourth. Okay, fair enough.
— Raphinha
In the end, Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé took home the 2025 Ballon d’Or along with the FIFA The Best award.
