Raphinha regrets not winning the Ballon d’Or and says it was unfair that he didn’t achieve it

Raphinha is currently enjoying the most prolific and dominant period of his professional career. Having established himself as an indispensable pillar in FC Barcelona’s starting XI and a recognized elite talent on the global stage, the Brazilian winger has decided to speak out. In a revealing interview for the documentary series A Guest and a Half, produced by Sofascore, Raphinha opened up about the lack of individual recognition, his transformative relationship with Hansi Flick, and the one goal that haunts his dreams: the 2026 World Cup.

Despite delivering a 2024-25 season that was statistically and tactically flawless, Raphinha feels that the spotlight of international awards did not accurately reflect his contribution on the pitch. With his trademark sincerity, the Brazilian admitted that his performance deserved greater global recognition.

"Individual awards must be considered within a global framework," he argued. For Barça’s No. 11, it isn't enough to simply shine in one competition. He believes that collective titles, consistent individual statistics, and a player's overall weight within a team's tactical system should be the primary factors in choosing the world's best. Raphinha feels that, by those metrics, his name should have been at the very top of the ballots.

A key driver behind Raphinha’s explosion has been the arrival of Hansi Flick. The Brazilian was full of praise for the German manager, noting that Flick’s constant guidance has been instrumental in helping him reach his most lethal form. Their relationship has evolved from a standard player-coach hierarchy into a bond of mutual trust, fueled by daily dialogue and tactical clarity.

Furthermore, Raphinha highlighted the importance of playing alongside a talent like Pedri. He spoke highly of the Spaniard’s "silent influence" on the game. "It doesn't always show up in the box scores," Raphinha explained, "but Pedri makes the difference because of his game reading and his ability to generate advantages where others see nothing." For the winger, having a playmaker who understands the game at that level makes his job in front of the goal infinitely easier.

With the 2026 World Cup looming on the horizon, Raphinha reflected on his journey with the Seleção. "I never thought I could make it this far when I received my first call-up," he confessed. Staying at the top of the Brazilian national team for years requires extreme physical and psychological discipline, especially when navigating the obstacle of injuries.

Raphinha also sent a stern message regarding modern football: "Today, no one wins just because of the weight of their jersey." He believes that underestimating opponents is a fatal mistake in an era where tactical preparation has reached unprecedented levels of equality.

Interestingly, when asked about his life after retirement, Raphinha was concise: he will not become a coach. Despite his self-critical nature and his growing ability to orchestrate play from the wing, he views a manager’s life as "too absorbing." He prefers to enjoy his family and the legacy he has built.

However, before he hangs up his boots, he has one sacred mission. All the effort and discipline at Barcelona serve one ultimate purpose: lifting the World Cup trophy with Brazil. It is the dream that pushes him every morning and the reason why Raphinha is no longer just a player—he is a leader.