The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony sparked major controversy over the final placement of Raphinha, who finished fifth despite delivering a historic season with FC Barcelona. Among the most vocal critics was his compatriot Neymar, who did not hold back in expressing his frustration on social media.

What Did Neymar Say About the Result?

The Brazilian forward reacted to an Instagram post, sharply criticizing France Football’s verdict:

“Raphinha in 5th is too much of a joke,” Neymar wrote, making his view clear on what he considers a blatant injustice.

How Did the 2025 Ballon d’Or Rankings End?

The top honor went to Ousmane Dembélé, who captured his first Ballon d’Or after a decisive campaign with Paris Saint-Germain. Lamine Yamal finished second, followed by Vitinha and Mohamed Salah. Despite his extraordinary numbers with Barça, Raphinha ended up in fifth place.

Why Was More Expected From Raphinha’s Candidacy?

The Brazilian winger was one of the driving forces behind Barcelona’s triumphant season, winning LaLiga, the Supercopa, and the Copa del Rey. In the 2024-25 Champions League, he posted record-breaking numbers: 12 goals and 8 assists, totaling 20 direct goal contributions—surpassing Lionel Messi’s legendary tally of 19 from the 2011-12 campaign.

Adding to that, Raphinha scored 18 league goals, forming a lethal partnership with Lamine Yamal that made Barcelona the undisputed force in Spanish football.