Barcelona Captain Raphinha Reacts to Ballon d’Or Debate After Harry Kane’s Win
Barcelona had a standout season in 2024/25, capturing the domestic treble under coach Hansi Flick. Their captain, Raphinha, was instrumental throughout the campaign. Despite his strong performances, he only managed to finish fifth in the subsequent Ballon d’Or voting.
Recently, Raphinha showed support for a TikTok video by content creator Dani Quintana, which challenges the consistency of the Ballon d’Or selection process after Harry Kane won the award on Monday.
Comparing Raphinha’s 2024/25 Season with Kane’s 2025/26 Campaign
Harry Kane earned the 2026 Ballon d’Or following an incredible run at Bayern Munich. He scored 73 goals and provided eight assists in 65 appearances, while winning three domestic trophies and reaching the Champions League semi-finals.
Quintana pointed out how Kane’s accolades mirror what Raphinha achieved the previous year. During the 2024/25 season, Raphinha helped Barcelona win La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup, while also making it to the Champions League semi-finals.
- Raphinha's contributions: 56 goal involvements
- Leading scorer and assist provider in Europe’s top club competition
- Finished 5th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings
Despite these accomplishments, Ousmane Dembele won the award that year following PSG’s Champions League victory.
Debate Over One of the Biggest Snubs in Recent Ballon d’Or History
The 2025 Ballon d’Or remains controversial, largely because many felt Raphinha deserved a higher finish. While no one disputes Dembele’s merit, finishing fifth seemed too low given Raphinha’s influence.
Kane’s goal tally is impressive and worthy of praise, yet Raphinha contributed more than just goals. His creativity, pressing, and attacking movement were crucial to Barcelona’s success.
Now with Kane as the reigning Ballon d’Or winner after a season with comparable achievements, questions about the award’s criteria have resurfaced.
Each year brings different candidates and results, so direct comparisons are tricky. Still, many believe Raphinha was undervalued last season and will be motivated to deliver another strong campaign for a better shot next time.
