Ballon d’Or Bound? Raphinha’s Case for Greatness at Barcelona

Ever since the end of the Ronaldo-Messi era, there has been a void at the top of world soccer. From 2011 to 2017, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo finished either first or second in the Ballon d’Or voting; their intense rivalry made the award seem predetermined rather than up for debate. This was unusual for the Ballon d’Or—the most prestigious individual award in soccer, annually presented to the best player in the world based on votes from national team captains, coaches, and journalists. However, their primes have passed and a new generation of talent has emerged, making the Ballon d’Or recipient a topic of debate again. In 2024, the battle was between Vinicius Jr. and Rodri. However, a new favorite has emerged in the 2025 race: Raphinha, Barcelona’s new shining star who was unknown merely two seasons ago. 

Since joining Barcelona from Leeds United in the summer of 2022, Raphinha has been nothing short of extraordinary. With 47 goals this season, he has been a constant threat up top for the best attacking side in Europe. The winger’s arrival was immediately met with high expectations after his transfer, following a strong Premier League campaign with 11 goals and three assists while playing an instrumental role in keeping Leeds United in the top flight. However, he has far exceeded his expectations at the club, with standout performances in big games; he has evolved from a promising winger to one of the most dangerous attacking players in the world. 

Raphinha’s technical skills and direct playing style have made him particularly dangerous on the wing. Former head coach Xavi said, “As for Raphinha, he was intense; he attacked spaces and gave us key things in attack; and he is doing decisive things. Now, it seems to me that he stands out more—he is an extraordinary player.” His impact on the club has been undeniable; Raphinha boasts 27 goals and 20 assists in 42 games so far this season, leading the team in combined goals and assists.

This season, Raphinha has consistently delivered in crucial moments. Two of his most standout performances this year occurred in a match against Benfica in the Champions League round of 16—he scored twice, including a dramatic extra-time winner, and provided an assist—and against Real Madrid in the Supercopa, where he also scored twice and assisted once to ultimately helped Barcelona lift the trophy. His ability to consistently rise to the occasion in high-stakes matches has been one of the defining aspects of his season. 

Beyond his on-field successes, Raphinha’s character and work ethic have played a major role in his successful career. Raphinha comes from Restinga—a favela in Porto Alegre, Brazil—which has taught him how to be humble and hard-working. One memorable moment that spoke volumes about his personality and attitude occurred when Leeds clinched their survival in the 2022-23 season; in a very emotional moment, Raphinha walked the full length of the pitch on his knees as a tribute to God. This act of humility demonstrated his appreciation for all those at the club who have supported him and given him opportunities to shine. His determination on and off the field have had a major impact on his success at the top of world soccer and on his relationships with teammates and supporters. 

This season, Raphinha’s contributions have heavily impacted Barcelona’s success up top. His impeccable chemistry with teammates—notably Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Fernan Torres—has made the team’s attack much more fluid and cohesive. This partnership has been vital to Barcelona’s La Liga title push: combined, these four players have scored 88 of Barcelona’s goals this season and extended the club’s lead as top goalscorers of all competitions in the continent’s top five leagues. With their help, Flick’s side has now netted 139 goals in total this season—an average of over three per game—and are unbeaten in 20 matches across all competitions since the start of 2025. In club history, only the 2011-12 squad has scored more goals after the same number of games, with 100 goals. 

Due to his stunning performances and continued improvement, it is no surprise that Raphinha has emerged as a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or. Many experts, and even teammates, have put Raphinha at the top of their lists to win the Ballon d’Or. When asked about who he thought is leading the race for this year’s prize, teammate Pau Cubarsí said, “Right now, because of how the season is going, I would give it to Raphinha.” Even sites like GOAL, Sporting News, and Planet Football have outlined Raphinha as the favorite for the prestigious award this year. 

Still, the path to winning the Ballon d’Or isn’t clear cut. There is still major competition for the award—Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Lamine Yamal are also highly rated for the honor. In order to solidify his case, Raphinha will have to play an important role in Barcelona’s Champions League ambitions and push for the La Liga title. 

As Raphinha sets his sights to win the Ballon D’Or and Barcelona aims to secure its 13th player who has won a Ballon d’Or at their club, all eyes are on the winger to see if he can keep up this form and lead Barcelona to more trophies and glory. If he does, then it is very likely that Raphinha’s name can be etched alongside some of the greatest in soccer history.