Raphinha Silences Critics and Proves 2026 Ballon d'Or Snub Was a Massive Mistake

Barcelona may lack a senior, natural center forward in their squad, but they do have the new Pichichi race leader. It's not Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, or Julián Alvarez—it's Raphinha.

The Brazilian, who now wears the captain's armband for the defending Spanish champions, has effortlessly plugged the hole in Hansi Flick's attack, almost as if he's been a No. 9 his entire career. Suddenly, the panic and anxiety that swept through Catalonia following a striker-less summer transfer window has all but disappeared.

Raphinha is delivering far beyond what Barcelona could have imagined. The 29-year-old already boasts nine goals and three assists across seven league matches, surpassing back-to-back Pichichi Trophy winner Kylian Mbappé in the scoring standings.

There hasn't been a single 2026–27 match in which Raphinha has failed to register a goal contribution. He's netted braces against Elche, Rayo Vallecano, and Feyenoord, provided two assists against Levante, and struck a hat-trick against Racing Santander. He also got on the scoresheet against Athletic Club and Valencia.

Raphinha is undoubtedly the finest player in Spain at the moment, a title he also held in 2024–25. Yet he was left off the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Men's Ballon d'Or award.

The Logic Behind Raphinha's Ballon d'Or Snub

It came as little surprise when Raphinha was not nominated for football's most prestigious individual honor this year. The forward endured an injury-plagued 2025–26 campaign, sidelining him for some of Barcelona and Brazil's most important fixtures.

Raphinha missed the season's first Clásico, Barcelona's Champions League quarterfinal clash with Atlético Madrid, and the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal against Diego Simeone's side. All three occasions ended in heartbreak for the Catalans.

Things fared little better on the international stage. Raphinha's hamstring issue resurfaced during the summer, restricting him to just two group stage appearances at the 2026 World Cup. Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil side subsequently crashed out in the round of 16 against Norway.

Nevertheless, despite the extended absences and fitness struggles, Raphinha closed out last season with 21 goals and seven assists for Barcelona. When fit, he was an indispensable part of the club's La Liga and Spanish Super Cup title defenses.

Ultimately, however, voters did not consider Raphinha among the top 30 players in the world last season.

A Familiar Feeling

Being overlooked and undervalued is nothing new for Raphinha. The Brazil international put together a record-breaking 2024–25 season at Barcelona, and all it earned him was a fifth-place finish in the 2025 Ballon d'Or vote.

Raphinha racked up 34 goals and 22 assists for the Catalans, steering the team to a domestic treble and the Champions League semifinals. Yet the club threw their weight behind Lamine Yamal, who finished that same campaign with 18 goals and 21 assists—with only nine of those goals coming in La Liga.

The Ballon d'Or voters ultimately agreed, backing Yamal to a runner-up finish that year. Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha and former Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah also placed ahead of Raphinha.

"I deserved to have been in first place for what I delivered during the season, for the titles I won, for the numbers I put up, and for everything I contributed on the pitch—I believe I deserved to win," Raphinha later said regarding the 2025 Ballon d'Or.

At the very least, he "expected to be at least in the top three."

Just one year on from that contentious fifth-place finish, Raphinha doesn't even crack the top 30.

The Quest for the 2027 Ballon d'Or Is Well Underway

Following two years of Ballon d'Or heartbreak, Raphinha has entered 2026–27 with a statement to make. He is comfortably the most in-form player in La Liga and arguably across all of Europe.

Raphinha's brilliance has propelled Barcelona to outright first place in the Spanish top flight. Flick's side have won all six of their opening league fixtures, netting 28 goals in the process. The club also kicked off their Champions League league phase with a commanding 5–1 victory over Feyenoord.

"It is always important to think that there is something you need to improve," Raphinha said of his stunning start after Barcelona dismantled Racing 7–2 on Thursday. "I will never tell you that I am doing fine or that I am at my best level; I always try to improve as much as I can.

"I can probably give a little more to the team than I am giving right now. I am happy with the goals and the victory, which is the most important thing."

If Raphinha fulfills his ambitions and finds another gear this season, Barcelona could not only claim La Liga for a third consecutive year, but also finally go all the way in the Champions League.

At that point, the Ballon d'Or would surely be firmly within his sights.