BALLon d’Or 2025 : Raphinha en grand danger !

Brilliant on the field, but increasingly unstable outside : Raphinha, considered one of the favourites for the Ballon d’Or 2025, sees his candidacy weakened by a series of skids. Like Vinicius Jr before him, the Brazilian of Barca risks paying dearly for a behavior deemed incompatible with the standards of the global’elite.

On the sporting side, Raphinha has had an impressive season with FC Barcelona. Decisive, hard-hitting, regular, he ticks almost every box to be among the most serious contenders at the Ballon d’Or. In both the Champions League and La Liga, the Brazilian has often been the X factor of the Hansi Flick version of Barca.

Some observers, in Spain as in Brazil, already saw him at the head of the race. With a competitive Barca in Europe and Raphinha in full possession of his means, the scenario seemed almost written. L’example of Vinicius Jr L’last year remains in all heads. Despite a dream season – best player of Real Madrid, scorer in the final of the Champions League, champion of’Spain – the Brazilian had seen the trophy escape him in favor of Rodri, calmer, more posed, haloed of’un Euro won with Spain.

The jurors of the Ballon d’Or L’ had then admitted: the « class of player » count as much as his numbers. Vinicius’ repeated overruns towards the referees, his behaviour on the field, his visible tensions weighed heavily. And that same pattern now seems to threaten Raphinha.

Raphinha, a series of misperceived gestures

The negative impact is recent. It all started with a complicated international truce with Brazil, marked by a defeat against’Argentina in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Back in Barcelona, Raphinha did not SEEM appeased. On the contrary.

In the 1-1 draw against Betis, his behavior surprised. At the end of the meeting, he is violently taken to the referee, refusing any discussion, even with Hansi Flick, whom’il repulsed with an aggressive gesture. Worse: he also jostled Ter Stegen, his own teammate, in a lunar scene captured by the cameras and went viral.

In the race for the Ballon d’Or, every detail counts. And the’image publique is decisive. Raphinha, hitherto respected’i for his commitment and his rise in power, sees today’ his name associated with the’ instability, the volcanic temperament and the’insubordination. This emotional turn, poorly controlled, could cost him more than’a simple yellow card. It could especially make him lose precious points in the minds of voters, often sensitive to’exemplarity.

An opportunity for competition

While Raphinha slides, others remain in the race. Kylian Mbappe continues the performances at Real Madrid, Ousmane Dembele seduces by his constancy and his decisive influence, Harry Kane stacks goals and assists with elegance. Effective and calm profiles..

In this end of season where everything is played, regularity and behavior will make the difference. And for Raphinha, the dynamic is now as mental as it is technical. It will quickly be necessary to get together, because in the’ state, the Ballon d’Or slips his hands.