Raphinha Finishes 5th In The Ballon d’Or
What a season Raphinha had in 2024-25. The kind of output that usually guarantees a top-three Ballon d’Or finish. And yet… he ended up 5th. With stats like his, you’d expect more. Let’s break down what he achieved via Transfermarkt and question how those numbers translated (or failed to translate) into the recognition he deserved.
Raphinha’s Numbers: Transfermarkt Tells the Tale
According to Transfermarkt, here are Raphinha’s stats with FC Barcelona in the 2024-25 season:
| Competition | Appearances (24-25) | Goals | Assists* | Minutes Played* |
| All Competitions | 57 | 34 | 25 | ~4,661 |
| LaLiga | 36 | 18 | 11 | ~2,845 |
| Champions League | 14 | 13 | – | ~1,224 |
| Copa del Rey | 5 | 4 | 2 | ~423 |
| Supercopa | 2 | 1 | 1 | ~169 |
*Assists are as per Transfermarkt and related reliable sources; some competitions might have slightly varying assist counts depending on match definitions. Minutes played similarly approximate from Transfermarkt.
So in short: 57 appearances, 34 goals, 25 assists across all competitions. That goal-contribution rate (goals + assists) is practically elite level.
If Those Were His Stats… Why Only 5th Place?
With numbers like that, it’s shocking he wasn’t higher. Let’s lay out possible explanations:
1. Trophy weight & performance in Europe’s biggest moments
The Ballon d’Or often tilts heavily in favor of players who perform (and win) in big European moments, particularly Champions League finals or semi-finals. Even though Raphinha’s Champions League tally was phenomenal (13 goals in 14 appearances) , Barcelona didn’t end up winning it. That likely cost him.
2. Competition was fierce
Players like Dembele, Yamal, etc., who had both big individual performances and won (or nearly won) major trophies & had standout moments, could have had the edge. Sometimes narrative and timing matter as much as raw stats.
3. Perception & visibility
Even with styles of play, media coverage, and narrative arcs matter. Perhaps some voters placed more emphasis on consistency in all competitions, how decisive you are in finals, or how often you carried the team when others were absent.
4. Assists counting & context
While 25 assists is excellent, sometimes the type of assists (or when they occur) can weigh more. For example, assists in knockout stages, or in big matchups, may sway more. Also, some assists may not be recorded (depending on whether pre-assist counts etc.), which can slightly underrepresent contributions.
5. Goal ratio vs other candidates
There might have been players with similar or slightly fewer numbers but with more goal dominance in higher visibility matches or with fewer appearances (i.e. more efficient), which voters sometimes reward.
Comparison: What Those Above Him Did (Briefly)
To further underline the shock, here’s a rough comparison to those who presumably were ahead:
The Ballon d’Or winner had both major honours (Champions League, etc.) and excellent personal stats.
Runners-up might have had slightly less in one category (say fewer goals), but more in clutch performances, or better showings in European finals, or maybe fewer injuries/absences.
Bottom Line: Stellar, But Some Fine Margins Lost Out
- Raphinha’s 2024-25 season was almost impeccable:
- 34 goals + 25 assists in 57 matches (an average of ~1.0 goal contribution per game)
- Strong domestic & European output (especially Champions League finishing strong individually)
- Large playing minutes, consistent selection, crucial impact.
Yet: Ballon d’Or isn’t just about stats. It’s about trophies, moments, narratives, perception. And with players slightly ahead with either more significant moments or bigger trophies (especially in Europe), those fine margins probably pushed Raphinha to 5th.
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Raphinha with those numbers should have been higher than 5th. Maybe top-3. Maybe even challenging for the trophy. He did everything you could ask from a winger in scoring, assisting, and showing up in big games. But sometimes, Ballon d’Or is about just a little more, the final lift, the defining moment. He was spectacular, and 5th place feels like slight injustice to what he achieved.
FAQs
Q1. What was Raphinha’s overall 2024-25 record for Barcelona?
A. He recorded 57 appearances, 34 goals, and 25 assists across all competitions.
Q2. How many goals did Raphinha score in LaLiga?
A. In LaLiga, he scored 18 goals in 36 matches, along with 11 assists.
Q3. How did he perform in the Champions League?
A. Raphinha scored 13 goals in 14 Champions League matches, showing elite consistency.
Q4. Did Barcelona win major trophies in 2024-25?
A. Yes, Barcelona secured a domestic treble: La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
Q5. Is this Raphinha’s best Ballon d’Or ranking so far?
A. Yes, finishing 5th in 2025 is his highest ever Ballon d’Or placement to date.
Also Read- Ousmane Dembele Wins Ballon d’Or 2025 After Stunning Season With PSG
