Diego Simeone backs Barcelona winger as Ballon d’Or debate rolls on

December 4, 2025 Oliver Obel

Ousmane Dembele lifted the trophy in September following a dominant campaign for Paris Saint-Germain. According to figures reported by Reuters and AP, the winger delivered 35 goals and 16 assists as PSG swept three major competitions. He later collected the UEFA Champions League Player of the Season award and was named Ligue 1’s top performer.

Even with those accolades, the final rankings surprised many. Barcelona phenom Lamine Yamal finished second after contributing 18 goals and 25 assists during a domestic-treble run. The debate over which of the two deserved the prize seemed settled until Simeone turned the conversation in a different direction.

Why Simeone points to Raphinha

For the Atletico coach, the most convincing case belonged to Barcelona’s Raphinha. The Brazilian finished fifth in the voting, yet club data from the end of last season shows he played a role in more goals than any other Barcelona attacker, with a combined tally of 60.

Raphinha missed several weeks earlier this season with a hamstring issue, but he returned in November and made an immediate impact. Against Atletico, he captained the side and scored the equaliser the performance that prompted Simeone’s comments.

“Raphinha is an incredible player,” Simeone said after the match. “He can play everywhere… I don’t know how he didn’t win the Ballon d’Or. For me, I would choose him always.”

Neymar and others echo the sentiment

Neymar joined the discussion as well, writing on Instagram that placing Raphinha fifth amounted to “too much teasing.” Some Barcelona supporters have expressed similar confusion, arguing that the winger’s numbers and influence were undervalued by voters.

Raphinha admitted earlier in the year that the result stung more than he expected. Speaking to GQ Hype, in comments relayed by COPE, he said finishing fifth was “an honour” but didn’t reflect the level he believed he reached. Ahead of Barcelona’s recent Champions League match against Chelsea, he added that he “felt undervalued.”

What the months ahead could mean

Barcelona sit atop La Liga and remain in the group of early Champions League contenders. If Raphinha plays a central role in a deep European run and if Brazil enjoy a strong showing at next summer’s World Cup the debate over his Ballon d’Or credentials may return with far more force than it did this year.

Sources: Reuters, AP, BBC, COPE