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Players have begun behaving like politicians during award season, with the top contenders for the Ballon d'Or openly campaigning in an effort to influence voters.
While Harry Kane has offered glimpses into his exceptional ability and Paris Saint-Germain's stars have sung each other's praises, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé have been more direct in their individual pursuits of the coveted honor for the first time.
It all comes across as somewhat desperate, and those inclined to complain would argue that the election-style push for the award is simply further proof of the game's deterioration. Bayern Munich's sporting director Max Eberl made a valid point when he stated: "The best players don't need to run a campaign."
One player who would undoubtedly have joined Yamal and Mbappé in campaigning aggressively is Yamal's Barcelona teammate Raphinha. The Brazilian felt his fifth-place finish at last year's Ballon d'Or was undeserved, and while the prolific attacker is far from self-centered on the pitch, he clearly yearns for the prestige that comes with winning the prize previously claimed by the likes of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, and Kaká.
And Raphinha is currently playing like a Ballon d'Or winner. A hat trick at Sevilla on Saturday has helped Barça enjoy their finest-ever start to a La Liga season, with the Brazilian netting 12 times in seven appearances.
Curiously, however, the 29-year-old was left off the 30-man shortlist for this year's award. His form at the start of the season is making a mockery of that decision, but was Raphinha's 2025–26 campaign truly worthy of such recognition?
Confirmed Shortlists
• Ballon d'Or Nominees (Men's and Women's)
• Kopa Trophy Nominees (Men's and Women's
• Yashin Trophy Nominees (Men's and Women's Goalkeeper of the Year)
• Club of the Year Nominees (Men's and Women's
• Coach of the Year Nominees (Men's and Women's)
How Good Was Raphinha Last Season?
It should be noted that Raphinha's recent exploits are irrelevant in the context of the 2026 Ballon d'Or. The Brazilian is positioning himself to win the award next year.
For the award set to be presented in October, voters are primarily considering the 2025–26 domestic season, along with the World Cup.
Raphinha entered Hansi Flick's second season on the back of a remarkable 2024–25 campaign, which produced 60 goal contributions in 57 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona — hence why he felt confident backing himself for last year's award.
However, his output dropped to 29 goal contributions in 33 games, as Raphinha battled hamstring problems. He missed 24 matches for club and country as a result, leaving him either underfit or absent during crucial moments.
The 29-year-old featured for just 29 minutes in El Clásico and was absent for Barça's Champions League quarterfinal against Atlético Madrid. His absence proved costly, as Atléti held on to advance 3–2 on aggregate. The Brazilian had recorded six goal contributions in seven Champions League outings, a tally that paled against the likes of Mbappé (16), Kane (17), and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (16).
While Raphinha was productive when fit and remained a key part of a title-winning side, his hamstring troubles kept him from shining at pivotal moments. He was overshadowed on the European stage, and his 13 La Liga goals were matched by Villarreal's George Mikautadze and Atléti's Alexander Sørloth.
Raphinha may have scored every 104 minutes across all competitions, but voters have little regard for such statistics — particularly in a World Cup year.
World Cup Injury Detrimental to Raphinha's Ballon d'Or Hopes
The 2026 World Cup was always going to play a decisive role in shaping the Ballon d'Or outcome. It is football's grandest stage, and the tournament was dominated by its biggest names.
Lionel Messi's fairytale ended at the final hurdle, Mbappé retained the Golden Boot, while Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham — alongside Kane — led Norway and England's respective runs.
The tournament's influence is underscored by Julián Quiñones' inclusion on the 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist. The Mexican winger, largely unknown to the wider public, did enjoy a strong season with Al Qadsiah, but his recognition stems primarily from the four goals he scored for the co-hosts.
Brazil entered the competition hoping to replicate the success of the previous World Cup held on North American soil. An unglamorous Seleção claimed the title for the fourth time in 1994, and many believed the right man was now in charge to lead them to a sixth crown.
But Brazil's Carlo Ancelotti-led World Cup campaign proved a major letdown. The five-time champions suffered their earliest exit since 1990, falling to Norway in the round of 16 after topping a tough Group C and narrowly edging past Japan in the round of 32.
Much debate surrounded Neymar Jr's inclusion — a call that would come back to haunt Ancelotti — though few anticipated the 34-year-old reclaiming his role as the team's creative talisman. Instead, the burden of expectation fell on Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha, given their sustained output on either side of the Clásico divide.
Raphinha's workload was carefully managed ahead of the World Cup, and he was fit enough to start Brazil's opening two group games. However, disaster struck on Matchday 2 against Haiti, when his hamstring gave way once more, ruling him out for the remainder of Brazil's tournament.
The World Cup thus passed the 29-year-old by without a single memorable contribution.
Raphinha Tips Lamine Yamal for Ballon d'Or
Perhaps unaware of the relevant eligibility period, Sevilla manager Luís García called Raphinha's omission from the Ballon d'Or shortlist a "joke" after the Brazilian tore through the Pizjuán before the international break.
Raphinha himself described the snub as "unfair," but is nonetheless throwing his support behind his teammate Yamal to claim the prestigious prize.
"Well, above all. I believe that winning the Ballon d'Or is about individual statistics, team honors and the magic he has on the pitch. Charisma and everything like that. For me, these are the most important points to win the award," he told RAC1 (via Sport).
• What the Biggest 2026 Ballon d'Or Nominees Have Said About Their Chances
"The things that he's done on the pitch, the numbers he has, the titles he has. I think that titles are quite important. In my opinion, he has to win."
Yamal, a La Liga and Supercopa winner with Barça last season, scored 24 times and contributed 18 assists in 42 appearances, and holds the World Cup trump card. The winger, who missed the final month of the 2025–26 season with a hamstring injury, didn't quite set the tournament alight — scoring just once — but remained a consistent presence on the right flank for the eventual champions.
And after all, he did draw two defenders to make Ferran Torres' winning goal in the final look inevitable. That's what everyone will remember...