Barcelona star Raphinha went on a social media spree in response to being left out of the 2025 FIFPRO World XI, posting 17 Instagram stories showcasing his goals, assists and trophies from last season. The Brazilian then opened up about his Ballon d’Or frustration, his bond with Lamine Yamal, and his dream of winning the World Cup with Brazil.
Raphinha hits out on social media after FIFPRO snub
Raphinha didn’t take his FIFPRO World XI omission lightly. Within hours of the lineup being announced, the Barcelona winger flooded his Instagram stories with a flurry of posts celebrating his standout 2024-25 campaign, one that many fans and pundits believe deserved recognition.
The 28-year-old uploaded 17 stories highlighting his personal milestones, from individual awards to match-winning performances. Among them were clips of his 34 goals, 25 assists, and a highlight reel of Barca’s domestic treble-winning campaign, their first in history. The montage was a not-so-subtle reminder of the year that redefined his career. The FIFPRO lineup, voted by players worldwide, excluded Raphinha despite his career-best numbers and a Player of the Season award in La Liga.
instagram/raphinha
AdvertisementA record-breaking season that demanded recognition
Few players in world football enjoyed a year as complete as Raphinha’s last term. Across all competitions, he contributed 59 goals and assists, a level of output rarely seen since the Messi-Ronaldo era in Spain.
In La Liga, the Brazilian was directly involved in 29 goals, winning the division’s Player of the Season award and leading Barcelona to domestic glory. His impact in Europe was even more remarkable, recording 22 goal involvements in the Champions League, the best individual tally in the tournament’s history.
He also delivered when it mattered most: four goals and three assists against Real Madrid across four Clasico wins, a hat-trick versus Bayern Munich, and a goal against Inter in the semi-finals. Raphinha’s excellence extended to the international stage too, contributing five goal involvements for Brazil as they sealed qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Yet, despite his accolades, his name was missing from FIFPRO’s list, a snub that highlighted the often subjective nature of such awards and left Raphinha determined to prove his critics wrong once again.
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'It was a personal disappointment' – Raphinha opens up on Ballon d’Or result
In a candid interview with , Raphinha reflected on finishing fifth in the Ballon d’Or race, calling it both an honour and a personal setback. “When you give so much, work hard every day, and feel you’ve had an incredible season, you naturally expect to be among the best,” he said. “Finishing fifth was an honour, of course, but my expectations were higher.”
Despite the snub, the Bluagrana star insisted that he feels at peace with his current form and maturity as a player. “What makes this moment so unique is the combination of technical growth, accumulated experience, and mental balance,” Raphinha explained. “Today I feel I can play with more freedom, read the game better, and handle pressure in a more mature way.”
'Lamine is like family' – Brazilian denies rivalry amid 2026 World Cup dream
Raphinha also clarified his relationship with teenage teammate Lamine Yamal, rejecting rumours of tension between the two. “That rivalry simply doesn’t exist. What truly exists between us is a mutual desire to perform at our best, to push each other, and to help the team,” he said. “Off the field, our relationship is very strong. Lamine is like family.”
The 28-year-old also looked beyond club football, reaffirming his desire to achieve international glory with Brazil. “Winning the World Cup with Brazil would be the biggest dream of my career. I grew up playing barefoot in the streets of Restinga, dreaming of representing my country, it’s an honour and a huge responsibility. Football in Brazil is like a religion.”