Ballon d’Or 2025: Raphinha in great danger!

Raphinha’s sparkling performances on the pitch this season have made him one of the standout figures in European football. His game-changing flair, explosive pace, and consistency have driven FC Barcelona forward under Hansi Flick’s reign. Yet, as the Ballon d’Or race intensifies, the Brazilian winger finds himself at a crossroads — not because of a dip in form, but due to controversies that now threaten his candidacy for football’s most prestigious individual award.

The 2024–25 season had looked like Raphinha’s redemption arc. After previous years of flashes of brilliance interrupted by injuries and inconsistencies, this campaign has been a turning point. He’s been at the heart of Barça’s revival both in La Liga and the Champions League, regularly delivering goals, assists, and match-winning performances.

At several points this season, pundits across Brazil, Spain, and beyond named him among the top three Ballon d’Or contenders. With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo no longer in the conversation, and with Erling Haaland facing an underwhelming season by his standards, the path seemed clear for Raphinha to claim personal glory.

But football isn’t just about stats. As seen in previous years, off-the-pitch demeanor, professionalism, and temperament play a huge role in shaping a player’s public image — and ultimately, their Ballon d’Or prospects. Vinicius Jr. learned that lesson the hard way in 2024. Despite a dream season with Real Madrid, his aggressive antics and confrontations with officials were enough to sway votes in favor of the calmer and more composed Rodri.

Now, Raphinha may be walking that same dangerous line.

The first signs of trouble began during the last international break. Representing Brazil in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Selecao suffered a painful defeat against eternal rivals Argentina. Instead of returning to Barcelona focused and motivated, Raphinha appeared visibly unsettled. Reports from inside the Brazil camp pointed to growing frustrations and clashes with staff.

His return to club duty didn’t go much better. During Barcelona’s 1-1 draw against Real Betis, cameras caught Raphinha in a moment of shocking misconduct. As the final whistle blew, frustration boiled over. He berated the referees in full view of the crowd, refused to shake hands with opposing players, and even shoved manager Hansi Flick when approached. To make matters worse, he was also seen pushing goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, causing an uproar across social media.

Such moments may be forgivable for a player under immense pressure, but when compiled, they create a narrative — one that paints Raphinha as volatile, emotional, and lacking leadership qualities. And in the race for the Ballon d’Or, perception matters. Jurors aren’t just voting on talent; they’re voting on character, reputation, and the image of global football’s next ambassador.

Up until now, Raphinha was celebrated for his rise — a player who went from the streets of Porto Alegre to the grand stage of the Camp Nou. His grit, passion, and humility made him relatable. But the recent incidents have shifted that narrative. Instead of being seen as a symbol of resilience, he now risks being remembered as another talent undone by emotional indiscipline.

Social media hasn’t been kind either. Viral clips of his outbursts have circulated relentlessly, while fans and critics alike have compared him unfavorably to Vinicius. One tweet labeled him “more detestable than Vinicius, just less noticed because he’s not as good.” The backlash is intensifying, and the timing couldn’t be worse.

Meanwhile, the competition isn’t slowing down. Kylian Mbappé is dazzling fans at Real Madrid with relentless displays of class and efficiency. Harry Kane remains a scoring machine at Bayern Munich, and Ousmane Dembélé has quietly enjoyed his most injury-free and influential season at Paris Saint-Germain. All three are seen as calm, mature, and professional — the exact opposite of Raphinha’s current image.

The Ballon d’Or isn’t just a recognition of footballing ability. It’s also a crowning of footballing integrity. With voting expected to begin shortly after the European competitions conclude, Raphinha has very little time to redeem his public persona.

To do so, he’ll need more than goals and assists. He’ll need restraint, maturity, and most importantly, leadership. As Barça fights for a La Liga title and Champions League glory, every moment from now on will be scrutinized. Raphinha must rise not just as a performer, but as an example.

Football is filled with stories of redemption. Perhaps Raphinha still has time to write his. A few weeks of brilliance and emotional composure might be enough to tip the scales back in his favor. But if the current trajectory continues, he may join the long list of nearly-men — players who had the talent to win it all, but let something else get in the way.

The Ballon d’Or represents the pinnacle of individual achievement in football. It demands excellence, but it also demands class. Whether Raphinha can embody both over the final stretch of this season remains the defining question.

As of now, the danger is real. The dream is slipping.

And only Raphinha can turn it around.