Neymar calls Ballon d'Or a 'joke' after Raphinha finished fifth behind Yamal

Despite having a brilliant season, the Brazilian Raphinha was ranked just fifth in the Ballon d’Or 2025 standings.

Neymar criticised the men’s Ballon d’Or 2025 final ranking and called Raphinha’s fifth-place result a “joke” following the Brazilian’s historic 2024-25 UEFA Champions League campaign with Barcelona.

Ousmane Dembele led Paris Saint-Germain to Champions League victory and claimed the prize for the first time.

The French forward placed first, followed by FC Barcelona and Spain’s Lamine Yamal. The top five was completed by Barcelona’s Raphinha, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, and PSG midfielder Vitinha.

With 13 goals and eight assists at the end of the previous season, the Brazilian forward Raphinha finished the Champions League with the most goal contributions, helping Barcelona advance to the semi-finals.

However, when the ranking was revealed, many felt that the former Leeds United player should have been ranked higher. One of his Brazilian teammates didn’t hold back.

Neymar hits out at Ballon d’Or credibility after his compatriot’s low ranking

Neymar wrote in response to an Instagram post: “Raphinha in 5th is too much of a joke.”

Dembele finished FIRST in the Ballon d’Or 2025 race

In reaction to PSG’s world-record acquisition of Neymar in 2017, Barcelona signed Dembele from Borussia Dortmund. However, the French player struggled after the transfer to the Spanish club.

After joining PSG in 2023, manager Luis Enrique helped him change into a full-fledged attacker who could provide both goals and defensive play.

Last season, he scored 35 goals and 14 assists in all competitions as PSG won the championship.

However, the club’s Champions League victory—in which Dembele contributed two assists as the French team defeated Inter 5-0 in the final—gave Dembele the advantage over Yamal for winning the award.

Lionel Messi, the record eight-time winner and former Barcelona teammate, complimented him by writing, “Grande Ous,” in response to Dembele’s Instagram post. Messi added, ”Congratulations! You have my sincere gratitude. You are deserving.”

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