Former Barcelona boss Quique Setien says he thinks Raphinha deserves to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Raphinha is not even on the final shortlist for the award, with Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe the current favorites.
However, Setien is in no doubt at all that Raphinha is the world’s best player at the moment.
“There’s no need to overthink it. I’d give it to Raphinha right now,” he told Cadena SER.
“I’m absolutely certain of it. Because he’s the best player. And he’s not only the most effective
and the one who plays the most, but he’s also the one who runs the most, works the hardest, and helps his team the most. He’s an absolutely complete footballer.”
Raphinha saw injury disrupt his 2025-26 campaign with Barcelona, while Brazil only made it to the last 16 of World Cup 2026.
But he’s started the current campaign in blistering form, scoring 14 goals already, to help fire Barcelona to the top of La Liga.
