Barcelona star Raphinha criticises Ballon d'Or system after 2025 snub - 'You have to be friendly with the people who vote'

Barcelona star Raphinha has criticised the Ballon d'Or voting system after he missed out in 2025. The Brazil international was one of the favourites to win last year's prize, but ultimately had to settle for a fifth-place finish. Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele came out on top in the voting after helping the French giants win the UEFA Champions League for the first time.

Barcelona and Brazil star Raphinha insists that you have to be on good terms with the voters in order to win the Ballon d'Or.

Raphinha was one of the favourites to win the most coveted individual honour in world football last year after a stunning 2024/25 campaign that saw him produce 34 goals and 26 assists in 57 appearances across all competitions.

However, he finished fifth in the voting for the 2025 Ballon d'Or behind winner Ousmane Dembele, Barca team-mate Lamine Yamal, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha and Liverpool’s title-winning hero Mohamed Salah.

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The Ballon d'Or is decided by a dual voting system, with journalists from French outlets France Football and L'Equipe deciding the 30-player shortlist.

One journalist from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings then votes for their top 10, with points being awarded based on their position.

And Raphinha suggested that players have to be friendly with the voters to stand any chance of winning the Ballon d'Or, after picking up the Toresky Award for Best Athlete of the Year.

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"The truth is that recognition for your work is very special; in the end, well, knowing that you’ve given your best and receiving an award for it is very rewarding," he told Cadena SER.

"For me, the most important thing is team awards, which is why I came to the club, but if I told you that individual awards weren’t important, I’d be lying.

"I don’t owe anything to anyone. I know the season I had, and I know it was very unfair; in the end, it’s something we can’t control.

"I have no control over anything off the field. Ultimately, you have to be friendly with the people who vote.

"I’m someone who will deliver results on the field, and whatever happens, I’m satisfied with the season I’ve had."

Players included in a journalist’s top 10 are awarded 15, 12, 10, eight, seven, five, four, three, two, or one point, depending on their position.

The player with the most points at the end of the voting is named the winner of the Ballon d'Or winner for that year.

If two players have the same number of votes, then the athlete with the most first-place finishes comes out on top.

Raphinha’s performances helped Barcelona secure the Liga title while also reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, where they were beaten by losing finalists Inter.

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The Brazil international has also made an impressive start to this season, scoring 13 goals and providing five assists in 22 appearances across all competitions.

His performances have helped Barcelona go one point clear at the top of La Liga.

Barca have also had a strong season in Europe and are through to the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League after a fifth-place finish in the league phase table.

However, Raphinha missed his side's last fixture, a 3-0 victory over Mallorca in La Liga, due to a hamstring injury.

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