Take a look at any Ballon d’Or power rankings and the same few names dominate. Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane consistently appear at the top.
Among potential dark horses, Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal – last year’s runner-up – seems to be the only contender.
Mea Culpa. That includes us. Our top three mirrors this trend, with Yamal in fourth place.
Raphinha doesn’t even make our top ten. You won’t see the Brazilian’s name in many other lists either.
To be fair, the forward has faced a slow, injury-affected start this season. With talents like Michael Olise and Luis Diaz shining, it’s easy to overlook a sidelined player.
However, as we inch closer to the crucial stages of the 2025-26 campaign and this summer’s World Cup, Raphinha’s name will definitely emerge in our upcoming January update of the Ballon d’Or rankings.
It’s essential to examine how these trends operate compared to how they should. Mohamed Salah and Raphinha missing out on last year’s podium felt extremely harsh, given their stellar campaigns for Liverpool and Barcelona, respectively.
Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, acknowledges this reality.
“When you consider the matches he played, how many goals he scored, and how influential he was on the team, it’s unbelievable. More so, it’s about his influence,” he explained when discussing the FIFPRO World XI that premiered in November.
“For me, it’s absurd. I can’t comprehend why he’s not included in the best XI because after this season, he certainly deserves it,” he asserted.
It’s expected that a coach passionately supports their players. Yet, Flick’s unwavering support for Raphinha underscores what makes him exceptional.
He is the quintessential team player. Not only does he contribute in terms of goals and assists, but he also drives the team’s rhythm.
He arguably represents Barcelona’s heartbeat. The team’s performance changes dramatically with and without him. He sets the standard.
Just look back to their struggles during his absence this autumn.
A hamstring injury kept him on the sidelines during the 2-1 loss at home to PSG and the shocking 3-3 draw against Club Brugge.
Barcelona was essentially out of the match – demoralized, two goals down, and down to ten men – when he was finally brought on in the last half hour during a particularly disappointing away game against Chelsea.
In La Liga, they experienced a dismal 4-1 defeat to Sevilla and a deserved 2-1 defeat at Real Madrid, starkly contrasted by their four Clasico wins last season – all of which featured Raphinha at his best, scoring five goals and providing two assists under Flick.
Without Raphinha, Barcelona looked chaotic. They were not equipped to advance deep into the Champions League and would likely falter against any serious competitor.
Now that he’s back, they are once more displaying the thrilling form that nearly led them to last season’s final.
Raphinha gives Barcelona the lead once again 💫
A slip and a deflection makes the goal tough for Courtois to anticipate 🫣
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/h8BxVW5hjT
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 11, 2026
Following their triumph in the Spanish Super Cup final, Barcelona has claimed five victories in their last six encounters with Real Madrid. Which match did Raphinha miss?
“His mentality is extraordinary,” Flick stated following Raphinha’s man-of-the-match, two-goal performance in Saudi Arabia.
“He brings a dynamic that uplifts the whole team. You can see he missed his first chance during the game, but for the second, he was there, scoring the first goal and instilling confidence in the team.
“This is what he brings. Raphinha on the pitch exudes intensity, which we need.”
The first-half chance Raphinha missed was shocking. The kind of opportunity that Kane, Mbappe, or Haaland would finish without even thinking twice.
While he may not be as polished as the world’s top scorers, other wingers might instill more fear in their counterparts. He lacks the instant impact that Yamal brings to the game.
Mbappe’s scoring return at Real Madrid is impressive, but has he genuinely elevated their performance? The scant silverware they’ve collected suggests not.
Haaland is breaking multiple records at Manchester City, yet does he make them more predictable? Uncharacteristically for a Pep Guardiola side, they look toothless when their supply is cut off.
Kane might be delivering the best football of his career at Bayern Munich right now, but he still has much to prove on the broader European stage. The Champions League knockouts will be crucial.
Is there another player in global football who can claim to enhance their team as Raphinha does?
In a sport that relies on teamwork, isn’t that the most vital quality?
