Raphinha’s wife rages on Instagram after Barcelona star left out of FIFA World’s best XI
FIFA’s release of the 2025 World’s Best XI was intended to showcase the standout performers of the season, but the conversation quickly shifted after Barcelona winger Raphinha was left off the list.
Within hours of the announcement, debate gathered pace online, amplified by a series of pointed Instagram posts from Raphinha’s wife, Natalia Rodrigues Belloli. Although the posts were later deleted, screenshots circulated widely, keeping the controversy alive well into the evening.
How the team was selected
FIFA says the World’s Best XI is determined through a points-based system combining votes from football experts and fans worldwide, with all ballots weighted equally. Players are ranked by position before two additional outfield players with the highest remaining totals complete the lineup.
The results reflected Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance during the 2024/25 season, in which the club swept domestic honours and won the Champions League. Six PSG players were included: goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, defenders Achraf Hakimi, Willian Pacho and Nuno Mendes, midfielder Vitinha and forward Ousmane Dembele.
Read also: Snicko blunder exposed, how a wrong microphone changed Carey’s Ashes fate
They were joined by Virgil van Dijk, Cole Palmer, Pedri, Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal.
Why Raphinha’s absence stood out
Raphinha’s omission drew particular attention given his output for Barcelona. He finished fifth in Ballon d’Or voting and recorded 60 goal contributions in 57 appearances across all competitions.
In Europe, he was especially influential, finishing the Champions League campaign as the competition’s leading scorer and assist provider a combination that fuelled arguments among supporters that his season merited recognition in the XI.
A Reuters photograph from the Ballon d’Or ceremony earlier this year showed Raphinha attending with Belloli and their child, underscoring how closely his family has followed his progress at club level.
Read also: Mbappe–PSG case decided by Paris labour court
Reaction on social media
Belloli reacted publicly soon after FIFA’s announcement. Her first Instagram story read: “They don’t even hide it anymore!”
She then highlighted her husband’s statistics in a second post, writing: “62 G/A… But he didn’t deserve to be included in the XI.” Two further stories followed, captioned “INJUSTICE!” and “Is Raphinha a Basketball player?!”
While all four posts were later removed, their rapid spread online ensured the debate continued well beyond social media.
Other honours announced
The ceremony also recognised Dembele as Best Men’s Player, adding to the Ballon d’Or he collected earlier in 2025. In the women’s category, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati was named Best Female Player.
Read also: Thierry Henry’s legacy sealed as BBC confirms lifetime honour
Luis Enrique and Sarina Wiegman received awards for best men’s and women’s coach, respectively. Donnarumma was also named Best Men’s Goalkeeper, while England’s Hannah Hampton claimed the women’s goalkeeping prize.
Sources: FIFA, Reuters
Read also: Formula 1 set for venue return as Dutch Grand Prix drops off
