Raphinha’s Stunning Ballon d’Or Snub: Zero First-Place Votes Despite Historic Season

When the final Ballon d’Or votes were revealed, football fans around the world were stunned. Barcelona’s Brazilian winger Raphinha, fresh off the most productive season of his career, did not receive a single first-place vote. The omission sparked disbelief on social media, especially when considering his outstanding numbers and the trophies he lifted.

The first-place tallies highlighted a surprising spread of preferences among voters. Ousmane Dembélé topped the list with 73 votes, while Lamine Yamal collected 11. Vitinha earned six, Mohamed Salah four, Achraf Hakimi three, and even Kylian Mbappé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Scott McTominay each managed to secure one. Raphinha, however, was left with none.

The decision raised eyebrows because Raphinha’s statistics and accolades painted the picture of a player at the peak of his powers. Across all competitions last season, he played 64 matches, scoring 38 goals and providing 23 assists. That amounted to an incredible 61 direct goal contributions in just 64 games—a rate unmatched by many of the names ahead of him in the voting.

Beyond the numbers, Raphinha’s influence was recognized domestically. He was named La Liga Player of the Season, a prestigious award that underlined his consistency and dominance across the campaign. On top of his individual success, he helped Barcelona secure a domestic treble: winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

Despite these achievements, voters seemed to overlook the Brazilian star. Some analysts suggest that narrative and reputation often weigh heavily in Ballon d’Or voting, with certain names attracting more attention regardless of statistics. Others argue that while Raphinha’s numbers were spectacular, he may have lacked the defining “Champions League moment” that usually sways ballots.

Regardless of the reasoning, the snub has sparked debate about the fairness of the award and whether players like Raphinha are being undervalued. One thing is certain: his omission from first-place recognition will fuel motivation heading into the next season, as the Brazilian looks to prove that his performances are impossible to ignore.