Sevilla Coach Luis Garcia Slams Ballon d'Or Snub for Barcelona's Raphinha After Hat-Trick
After Barcelona’s 3-1 win at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium on Saturday, Sevilla’s coach Luis Garcia expressed strong frustration over Raphinha being left off the Ballon d’Or list. The Brazilian forward delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a magnificent hat-trick and boosting his season total to 14 goals across all competitions.
Garcia Questions the Ballon d'Or Selections
In the post-match press conference, Garcia did not hold back his disbelief about the award nominations, calling the exclusion of the visiting captain a "joke." He wondered how voters could ignore a player who consistently influences crucial matches with decisive contributions.
The Sevilla boss's comments became a focal point after the intense match, reflecting his skepticism about the credibility of modern individual football awards.
Praise for Raphinha Despite Defeat
Although Sevilla lost on home ground, Garcia openly applauded the Barcelona star who troubled his defense all night. He emphasized that leaving out the Blaugrana leader only confirmed his doubts regarding these kinds of prizes.
"It’s a joke that he’s not even nominated for the Ballon d’Or. He is a match winner, that’s why I don’t believe in these prizes. He does everything," Garcia said.
Debate Over Snub Intensifies
The absence of both Raphinha and his teammate Pedri from the Ballon d’Or shortlist has sparked heated discussion, especially since the Brazilian often produces game-winning moments for LaLiga leaders.
Despite Barcelona’s dominance, Garcia took pride in Sevilla’s performance, noting that his team initially took the lead through Youssouf Fofana after 19 minutes.
He added, "Barcelona are playing at the top level, but what interests me is Sevilla. Barca had to be at their best to beat us today. I am proud of the lads."
International Break Offers Time to Regroup
The pause in domestic matches gives Sevilla a chance to recover and prepare for their pursuit of a top-four finish. Meanwhile, Raphinha will join Brazil for upcoming international friendlies against Australia and India.
The Catalan club will hope their key forward returns fit to maintain their perfect run in LaLiga.
- Match: Sevilla vs Barcelona
- Score: 1-3
- Raphinha's goals: 3 (hat-trick)
- Season goals for Raphinha: 14
- Sevilla goal scorer: Youssouf Fofana (19th minute)
- Next LaLiga fixture: 10 Oct 2026, Getafe vs Barcelona, 19:30
