Raphinha Opens Up About Battling Lamine Yamal for Starting Spot and Ballon d'Or Heartbreak
Being in the limelight alongside a fellow player can sometimes create tension and divisions in the locker room, but Raphinha disclosed that this couldn't be further from reality when it comes to his relationship with Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal.
Raphinha and Yamal have been outstanding during the last two campaigns, forming a powerful wing duo that spearheaded Barcelona's remarkable comeback in the previous season.
While internal competition can sometimes evolve into bitter rivalry, the Brazilian confirmed there's no sign of any hostile dynamic with Yamal during a conversation with GQ. Instead, he expressed only praise for his connection with Barça's number 10.
"No, any rivalry [with Yamal] is completely absent," Raphinha stated. "The truth is entirely different from what certain people might think. I hold tremendous respect for Lamine [Yamal] both as an athlete and individual.
"Football is inherently competitive and, of course, there's competition among squad members, but for us, it has always remained constructive and inspiring. What genuinely exists between us is a shared commitment to excellence, to challenge one another and contribute to the team's achievements.
"I consider Lamine [Yamal] like family. I'm genuinely thankful to have someone like him alongside me, someone who motivates me and elevates the whole squad."
Last season, Yamal and Raphinha combined for 102 goal contributions for Barcelona, guiding the club to their first-ever domestic treble. Their exceptional displays caught widespread attention and both players secured top-five positions in the 2025 Ballon d'Or rankings.
Raphinha Expresses Disappointment Over Ballon d'Or Result
Raphinha was considered a leading Ballon d'Or candidate throughout much of the previous season due to his exceptional Barcelona performances. However, his 59 goal contributions for the Catalan side in 2024–25 only earned him fifth place in football's most coveted individual honor.
Additionally, Yamal placed three positions ahead in the rankings, securing second place behind victor Ousmane Dembélé. Raphinha's final standing caught many off guard and the Brazilian expressed his dissatisfaction with the result.
"Absolutely, it was personally disappointing [placing fifth]," Raphinha admitted. "When you invest so much effort, train daily and feel you've had an exceptional season, you naturally anticipate being recognized among the elite.
"Placing fifth was certainly an achievement, but my aspirations were loftier. Simultaneously, it provided me with humility and clarity. This drives me to continue my hard work, keep developing, and hopefully earn another chance to compete for the summit in the future."
The Brazilian has been out of action with a hamstring problem for more than a month. When he returns, he'll attempt to guide Barcelona toward ending a Champions League title drought spanning over a decade. Subsequently, he'll target victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Brazil, which he called "the ultimate aspiration of my career."
Should he achieve such success in the next eight months, he might just secure his first Ballon d'Or trophy.