After Barcelona’s dramatic 3–1 win over Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone surprised reporters by declaring Raphinha a worthy Ballon d’Or winner, questioning why the Brazilian had not won the Ballon d’Or this year.
The match at Camp Nou on December 2, 2025, saw Barcelona come from behind to secure three crucial points, extending their lead at the top of the league table.
In his post-match comments, Simeone praised Raphinha’s unparalleled versatility and work ethic: “Raphinha is an incredible player. He can play anywhere.
As a winger, as a midfielder, as a striker, or even as a wing-back”. He further emphasised the forward’s full skill set, saying “he can score, he can create, he can press, and he can run”.
Simeone’s most notable comments were directly addressed to the recent Ballon d’Or ceremony, where Raphinha finished fifth behind winner Ousmane Dembele, Lamine Yamal, Vitinha and Mohamed Salah.
The manager was clear: “I don’t know how he didn’t win the Ballon d’Or… everyone chooses the person they want, but I choose him”.
This strong endorsement from a rival manager highlights the perceived discrepancy between Raphinha’s impact on the pitch and his final ranking in football’s most prestigious individual award.
What Were Raphinha’s Stats in the 2024/25 Season?
In the 2024/25 campaign, Raphinha evolved from a highly rated winger into Barcelona’s undisputed talisman — and one of the most decisive players in world football.
The Brazilian delivered 62 direct goal contributions in 64 matches, a level of consistency matched by only the elite.
This wasn’t merely a breakout season; it was a historic, era-defining campaign. Raphinha became the driving force of a treble-winning Barcelona side and the most dangerous attacker in Europe’s top competition.
Against this backdrop, his fifth-place finish in the Ballon d’Or rankings feels less like a verdict and more like a mystery — especially when his output and trophy haul surpass several players above him.
Raphinha – 2024/25 Season Summary
- 64 matches played
- 38 goals
- 24 assists
Competitions
- LaLiga
- Copa del Rey
- Spanish Supercup
Individual Achievements
- Best Player of the Season in LaLiga
- Top Scorer in the UEFA Champions League
Barcelona comeback: Key moments and goals in 3-1 thriller
The encounter began with Atletico Madrid taking an early lead in the 19th minute when Alex Bena capitalised on Nahuel Molina‘s long ball, headed home after a VAR review overturned an initial offside call.
Barcelona, fearless, reacted quickly. Seven minutes later, in the 26th minute, Raphinha equalised with a composed finish after receiving a precise long pass from Pedri, rounding goalkeeper Jan Oblak to make it 1-1.
The first half saw more drama, including a missed penalty by Robert Lewandowski in the 37th minute, which went over the bar after a foul on Dani Olmo in the box.
The teams were level at half-time, but Barcelona increased the pressure in the second half. In the 65th minute, Dani Olmo put Barcelona 2-1 up, finishing off a powerful pass from Lewandowski to give the hosts the lead.
The game remained tense, with Atletico pushing for an equaliser, but Barcelona won in stoppage time. Ferran Torres scored the third goal in the 96th minute, tapping in from close range after a cross from Alejandro Balde, assisted by Marcus Rashford.
La Liga Title Race
The win was Barcelona’s fifth consecutive La Liga victory in which they had scored at least three goals, and also ended Atletico’s seven-match winning streak.
Beyond the individual accolades, the match had important consequences for the La Liga table. With the result, Barcelona are now four points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid (who have a game in hand) and six points ahead of fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.
Despite the defeat, Simeone’s praise for Rafinha will spark fresh debate about this year’s Ballon d’Or rankings—and cement the Brazilian’s status as one of Europe’s most complete forwards.
