Raphinha, a major Ballon d'Or absentee, names Yamal without hesitation

Absent from the Ballon d’Or shortlist, the Brazilian Raphinha told Guardian Sport that he unhesitatingly picks the young Lamine Yamal as the future winner. He says the prodigy must win the trophy no matter what, in the current debate.

The reasons for Raphinha's choice

Raphinha could have taken advantage of the controversy surrounding his omission to defend his own season. Instead, the Brazilian chose a completely different direction, focusing on supporting a teammate. He believes the discussion about his omission should not become a personal campaign.

When asked by Guardian Sport about the next Ballon d’Or, the Barça captain named Lamine Yamal without the slightest hesitation. “He must win the trophy no matter what,” he said. This statement immediately puts the young striker at the centre of attention.

Context of Raphinha's omission

The forward bases his choice on several factors. He cites Yamal’s individual statistics, the two trophies won with Barça, as well as the world champion title earned with Spain. The youngster’s charisma and magic further strengthen his argument.

Lamine Yamal makes new claim for Ballon d'Or, some enjoy it

Yamal has recently put forward his own Ballon d’Or candidacy. He is also the first player in history to be nominated for the award three times before turning twenty. These facts, according to Raphinha, place him above his rivals.

On Saturday, Raphinha scored a hat‑trick against Sevilla, a performance that prompted opposing coach Luis García Plaza to denounce his absence from the thirty nominees. The manager called the omission a “charade”. He said it undermined his confidence in this type of award.

Raphinha’s omission had already been noted among the most striking absences from the new list, the Brazilian having finished fifth in the 2025 ranking. This position highlights the gap between his performance and official recognition. Nevertheless, he does not turn the outrage into a personal campaign.

Raphinha implicitly accepts that his name can no longer be added and puts all his influence behind Yamal. His argument sometimes spills over into previous seasons and the start of the current campaign, but his support remains symbolically strong. The player presented as the main forgotten one becomes one of the most ardent advocates for a candidate.