Diego Simeone Breaks Silence: Reveals Which Rival Star He Believes Should Claim the Ballon d'Or Crown
Barcelona displayed their finest form during the triumph over Atlético Madrid, with Raphinha playing a pivotal role in the comprehensive display. His performance was so impressive that opposing coach Diego Simeone offered him the highest praise after the encounter.
Raphinha was omnipresent during the 3–1 victory against Atlético. He applied relentless pressure, executed clever runs beyond the defensive line, and netted his first strike in more than two months to spark Barcelona's resurgence.
His impact within Hansi Flick's tactical framework was evident to all observers, as Barcelona finally demonstrated glimpses of their championship-winning 2024–25 form. Simeone observed this directly and heaped significant acclaim on the Brazilian following his team's loss.
"I adore him [Raphinha]," Simeone expressed to Movistar Plus+. "He operates in every position. He functions as a wide player, wing-back, on the flank, as a supporting forward, he finds the net, he applies pressure. He's a footballer who, last season, I'm unsure how he didn't claim the Ballon d'Or."
"However, that's the nature of football and individuals can select whomever they prefer, but I would choose him, I adore him."
Surprisingly to many, Raphinha secured fifth position in the 2025 Ballon d'Or rankings, trailing teammate Lamine Yamal who placed second behind victor Ousmane Dembélé.
Hansi Flick Explains Raphinha's Significance for Barcelona
Simeone wasn't the sole manager to emphasize Raphinha's caliber and significance. Flick himself provided a candid evaluation regarding the Brazilian's influence on his squad.
"[Raphinha] represents a crucial player for our team," Flick stated after the Atlético encounter. "When he's present on the field, he elevates the tempo, the intensity level. Everyone typically responds to that influence and it's visible, you can observe it during play. The positive contributions he provided today were remarkable and essential."
Through just eight starting appearances this season, Raphinha has recorded four strikes and three assists, with Barcelona remaining undefeated when he begins matches.
A 60+ goal involvement campaign last season earned merely a fifth-place ranking in the 2025 Ballon d'Or, and he was also excluded from the 2025 FIFPRO World XI—causing considerable frustration.
However, with Raphinha returning to full fitness, Barcelona seeks to reach peak condition during the crucial phase of the season.
The Ballon d'Or oversight represented "a personal setback" for Raphinha, yet he stays driven and, should he prove instrumental in Barcelona's trophy pursuits this campaign, surpassing his fifth-place result remains achievable.