Brazilian football legend and former Barcelona star Rivaldo has thrown his weight behind Raphinha as a potential winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or, praising the winger’s standout performances throughout the season.
In an interview with SPORT, Rivaldo said the Brazilian international remains a strong contender for football’s most prestigious individual honour, despite Barcelona’s recent elimination from the UEFA Champions League at the semi-final stage by Inter Milan.
“He [Raphinha] could continue dreaming of the Ballon d’Or,” Rivaldo said, as quoted by Barca Universal. “Even though Barcelona are out of the Champions League, I think he still has a chance because he is having a great season.”
Raphinha has been in sensational form for the Catalan giants this campaign, netting 32 goals and providing 25 assists in 51 appearances across all competitions. His efforts have already helped Barcelona secure both the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España.
While Barcelona’s Champions League exit may have dented his Ballon d’Or hopes, Rivaldo believes Raphinha’s chances could be revived if the club overtakes Real Madrid to clinch the LaLiga title.
Notably, Raphinha is currently tied with Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy as the joint-top scorer in the Champions League, with both players scoring 13 goals in the tournament so far.
The 2025 Ballon d’Or race remains wide open, with individual brilliance, silverware, and consistency likely to influence the final decision later this year.
