The Brazilian winger is widely considered a top contender for the prestigious award after a standout season in Catalonia.
While his domestic stats are impressive — 19 goals and 14 assists — it’s his Champions League form that has truly set him apart. ..Continue Reading
With 13 goals and nine assists in just 14 games, Raphinha leads all players in total goal contributions in the tournament.
Despite his brilliance, Barcelona were eliminated from the competition on Tuesday night following a 4-3 loss to Inter Milan at San Siro, sealing their exit after a 3-3 draw in the first leg.
Raphinha was instrumental in both matches, continuing to prove his influence in big moments.
Speaking candidly, the 28-year-old listed six players he feels could make a strong case for having a better season than him in the Ballon d’Or conversation — including three from Real Madrid, who have also been knocked out of the Champions League.
Speaking in an interview with Brazilian journalist Isabela Pagliari, he said: “Ballon d’Or? Lamine [Yamal], Salah, Mbappe too.
“Pedri, for me, one of the best players in the world. “Vinicius, for me, is always a candidate, even if his numbers are slightly below last year.
“And, of course, Rodrygo would be considered. He’s spectacular, phenomenal, out of the ordinary, one of the best I’ve ever seen.”
Vinicius and Rodrygo have been key figures for Real Madrid over the past year, while Kylian Mbappe only joined Los Blancos this summer on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain — meaning any Ballon d’Or nomination would reflect his performances for both clubs.
Mohamed Salah, on the other hand, is enjoying his finest Premier League campaign to date, having netted 28 goals and registered 18 assists in just 35 matches.
However, Liverpool’s early Champions League exit in the Round of 16 at the hands of PSG could weigh against his Ballon d’Or chances.
As for Raphinha’s Barcelona teammates, both Pedri and Lamine Yamal have delivered standout performances this season — with Yamal recently overtaking Raphinha as the current frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d’Or title.
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