"I was upset because I expected to be at least in the top three. I knew winning was very difficult, because the Champions League counts a lot for this award. So, I was upset with the position I ended up in. I would put myself in first place [for the Ballon d'Or]."
"In my opinion, I think an individual award shouldn't be based on a single competition. I deserved to have been in first place for what I delivered in the season, for the titles I won, for the numbers I achieved, and for everything I delivered on the field, I think I deserved to win. I'm satisfied and happy with the season I had. It's not an individual award that will erase what I did last season."
Raphinha expressed disappointment at finishing fifth in the 2025 Ballon d'Or and expected to be at least in the top three. He acknowledged the Champions League's heavy influence on the award and said that not winning it hurt his chances. He argued that individual awards should not be based on a single competition and maintained he deserved first place based on his season contributions. Raphinha recorded 34 goals and 25 assists in 56 appearances while Barcelona won LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Supercopa. He also scored 13 goals and provided nine assists in 14 Champions League games as Barcelona reached the semifinal. He accepted that the award involves factors beyond his control.
Read at ESPN.com
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