PARIS (BN24) — Brazilian forward Neymar has criticized the 2025 Ballon d’Or results, calling Raphinha’s fifth-place finish “an absolute joke” despite the Barcelona winger’s prolific season.
The annual award ceremony, held Monday night at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, saw Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé crowned the Ballon d’Or winner. Dembélé was honored after a standout season in which he played a pivotal role in PSG’s historic run to their first-ever UEFA Champions League title.
Raphinha, 28, was instrumental in Barcelona’s domestic treble, finishing the 2024–25 season with 38 goals and 23 assists in 66 matches across all competitions. His contributions led the Catalan club to victories in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
Despite those numbers, Raphinha was placed fifth in the final Ballon d’Or rankings, a decision that Neymar, a former PSG and Barcelona player, did not take lightly. He voiced his frustration on social media shortly after the results were announced, writing that the ranking was “a joke.”
Neymar’s comment has reignited conversations around the transparency and fairness of Ballon d’Or voting, especially concerning Brazilian players. He himself finished ninth in 2020, while fellow Brazilian Vinícius Júnior came second in 2024 behind Manchester City midfielder Rodri, despite an acclaimed season with Real Madrid.
The debate adds to longstanding scrutiny over how performances are weighed in the selection process and whether non-European players are consistently overlooked or undervalued.
2025 Ballon d’Or Men’s Top 5
Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Vitinha (PSG)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Raphinha (Barcelona)
