The 2025 Ballon d’Orwas awarded to Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele, who claimed the title for the first time after a stellar season that saw him lead PSG to a quadruple, including their maiden UEFA
Champions League title. Dembele’s remarkable campaign included 35 goals and 16 assists in 53 matches across all competitions, earning him widespread acclaim and the top spot ahead of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who finished second, PSG midfielder Vitinha in third, and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in fourth. Raphinha, the Barcelona winger and Brazilian international, rounded out the top five.
Brazilian footballer Neymar Jr. took to social media to express his outrage over compatriot Raphinha’s fifth-place finish in the men’s rankings. Neymar, currently playing for Santos in Brazil’s Campeonato Brasileiro Série A after a stint with Saudi club Al-Hilal, took to Instagram to voice his frustration. Replying to a post by Brazilian content creator Eduardo Semblano, who shared the Ballon d’Or top ten, Neymar wrote, “Raphinha at 5 is a huge joke.” The comment quickly went viral, amassing thousands of likes and shares, and fueled discussions across social media platforms about whether Raphinha was unfairly overlooked for a higher ranking. Neymar’s comments have reportedly reignited debates about the credibility of football’s most prestigious individual award.
Raphinha played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup triumph
Raphinha’s 2024-25 season was nothing short of spectacular. The 28-year-old played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s domestic treble under manager Hansi Flick, helping the club secure La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. His individual stats were equally impactful, with 34 goals and 25 assists in 57 matches across all competitions, including a record-breaking 13 goals and 8 assists in the UEFA Champions League, where Barcelona reached the semi-finals before falling to Inter Milan. Raphinha’s 21 goal involvements in the Champions League matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s single-season record, a feat that many believed would propel him closer to the top of the Ballon d’Or rankings.
Despite these accomplishments, Raphinha found himself behind Dembele, Yamal, Vitinha, and Salah. Neymar, who has never won the Ballon d’Or himself but finished third in 2015 and 2017, was not alone in his criticism. The 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings have once again highlighted the award’s ability to spark debate. Neymar’s bold statement has reportedly amplified calls for transparency in the voting process, with some fans arguing that media narratives and club bias play too significant a role. As Raphinha continues to shine for Barcelona, and with Neymar back in Brazil aiming to add to his legacy, the football world will undoubtedly keep a close eye on how their careers unfold ahead of the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
