Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr has claimed that Barcelona forward Raphinha should have been at the podium at the 2025 Ballon d’Or. The Brazilian ranked fifth in the rankings despite having a stellar 2024-25 season.
In a press conference representing the Brazil national team (h/t Madrid Zone), Real Madrid ace Vinicius Jr spoke highly of his compatriot Raphinha. He believed the Barcelona superstar should have ranked higher than he did in reality.
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“If Raphinha wasn’t the best last year, he was second or third for sure,” Vini said.
Raphinha was one of Barcelona’s best performers last season, becoming key to their winning the domestic treble with LaLiga, Copa Del Rey, and the Supercopa de España. He scored 34 times and assisted 26 more in 57 outings across competitions for the Catalans. The Brazilian was also the highest goalscorer in the Champions League (13 goals).
Notably, La Blaugrana beat Real Madrid in both the Supercopa and the Copa del Rey finals, with Vinicius Jr facing Raphinha on the pitch. Despite his performance, Raphinha ranked fifth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings, with PSG superstar Ousmane Dembele winning the award. Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal ranked second in the list, and PSG star Vitinha stood third, earning podium finishes.
When Barcelona star Raphinha called Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr a “spectacular person”
In a 2024 interview with RAC1, Barcelona forward Raphinha spoke highly of Ream Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr, claiming he is a different person on and off the pitch. He said (via GOAL):
“The Vinicius of the matches is completely different from the Vinicius in person. When you get hold of him outside of football, you realise that they are completely different people. I’ve already seen many players who off the pitch are one way and on the pitch are another. This is normal in football, there are many players like that.”
He added:
“I try to explain to everyone that Vinicius is not a bad person – he is a spectacular person, a very good person. He’s younger than me, but when I got to the national team he was already there and he helped me a lot. We get along very well and I also often talk to him and tell him that it is not necessary to do the things he does on the pitch, but I understand it. Each person is different, he is like that and I think it gives him confidence on the field to do that.”
Raphinha and Vinicius Jr have shared the pitch for Brazil in 25 games across competitions, making two joint-goal contributions. The Barcelona star and the Real Madrid ace are expected to team up under Carlo Ancelotti to lead the Selecao in the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
Edited by Pratyasha Sarkar
