Raphinha Breaks Silence on Ballon d’Or Hopes After Ronaldo’s Blunt Take

Barcelona winger Raphinha has opened up about his Ballon d’Or aspirations, just days after Cristiano Ronaldo dismissed the credibility of individual awards. The Brazilian’s comments come as anticipation builds for the 2025 ceremony, scheduled for September in Paris.

Raphinha played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s La Liga triumph and their deep Champions League run, putting him in contention for the prestigious award. However, he faces stiff competition from teammates Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé, as well as Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. The 28-year-old subtly acknowledged the challenge when he liked a social media post comparing his situation to past Brazilian stars like Neymar and Vinícius Júnior,

who were overlooked despite stellar campaigns. This gesture hinted at his awareness of the uphill battle for recognition. Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, recently criticized the award’s relevance, stating, *“There’s no real consensus anymore. I think whoever wins the Champions League deserves it, but I’ve stopped placing much value on individual awards.”* He also named Yamal, Dembélé, and Vitinha as potential winners.

Bookmakers currently favor Dembélé, who netted 32 goals for PSG last season, followed closely by Yamal. Vitinha’s stock has risen after leading Portugal to Nations League glory, with PSG manager Luis Enrique calling him *“irreplaceable.”* Raphinha remains an outsider in the odds, listed at 25/1, behind the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Salah.

His candidacy hinges on whether voters prioritize team success or individual brilliance. The debate over the Ballon d’Or’s significance continues, with Ronaldo’s comments sparking discussions about bias and behind-the-scenes influences. Many fans argue that team achievements should carry more weight than personal accolades.

Meanwhile, Raphinha’s humility in acknowledging the competition has earned him respect. Unlike some contenders, he has avoided self-promotion, instead letting his performances speak for themselves. As the ceremony approaches, the race remains wide open. Will Raphinha defy the odds, or will Dembélé or Yamal claim the prize? The football world waits in anticipation.

One thing is certain: Ronaldo’s dismissal of individual awards has added a new layer of intrigue to this year’s Ballon d’Or conversation. Whether players like Raphinha can change his mind remains to be seen.