Raphinha on Ballon d’Or: “Nomination itself is already a victory for me”

Barcelona winger Raphinha says his first-ever Ballon d’Or nomination already feels like a win, calling it a moment of pride after the challenges he has faced in his career.

“Being nominated for the Ballon d’Or is already a victory for me,” Raphinha said, reflecting on his journey so far. “My goal is always to be better than yesterday. Just being at the ceremony is a huge honor and prestige.”

This is the first time Raphinha has been shortlisted for football’s biggest individual award. The recognition comes after a standout season under coach Hansi Flick, where he played a major role in Barcelona’s historic treble-winning campaign.

The Brazilian forward was directly involved in nearly 60 goals across competitions, underlining his importance in Barca’s attack. For Raphinha, the Ballon d’Or nomination is more than just a milestone — it is proof of how far he has come and how high he aims to climb.