Leeds United hero Raphinha is one of the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or at next week’s ceremony on Monday 22nd September.
During two years at Leeds United, the Brazilian lit up Elland Road and became one of the Premier League’s most exciting players. Raphinha has gone on and become a superstar with Barcelona since, though.
Season Appearances Goals Assists
2022/23 50 10 12
2023/24 37 10 13
2024/25 57 34 25
2025/26 4 3 1
Raphinha’s seasons at Barcelona
The 2025 Ballon d’Or will be the 69th annual ceremony of the award, recognising the best footballers in the world during the 2024/25 season. Raphinha’s 59 goal involvements in 57 games should serve him well in terms of his finishing position.
He’s been that impressive that Barcelona and Arsenal icon Thierry Henry believes Raphinha will win the Ballon d’Or. His magic and match-winning ability sets him apart from many others, with Leeds needing someone like Raphinha against Fulham over the weekend.
FC Barcelona v Real Madrid CF - La Liga EA Sports
Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Raphinha re-enacted his Brentford antics for Barcelona at the end of last season, having scored to help Leeds survive on the final game of the 2021/22 season. In a variety of ways Raphinha was ‘out of the ordinary’ for Leeds.
Raphinha almost rejected a move to Leeds but it was perhaps a crucial part of his development, especially since Raphinha has credited Bielsa for his rise to where he is now. The heights he has hit at Barcelona are truly special, however.
Jayden Bogle and Joel Piroe’s Raphinha verdict is that he is one of the best players in the world. Raphinha is now a serious contender to win the Ballon d’Or. Should he win, it would cement his legacy in the modern era as one of the greats.
Per The Athletic, Raphinha is one of the 10 favourites out of the 30 nominees for the award. He is ranked as fourth behind Vitinha and Ousmane Dembele of PSG, with Raphinha’s teammate Lamine Yamal sandwiched between them in second.
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They write: “This list won’t simply alternate interminably between PSG and Barcelona’s best talents, but both sides were exceptional last season, and Brazilian winger Raphinha is another who warrants a lofty place here.
“As the joint-highest goalscorer in the Champions League (13), and La Liga’s official player of the season, he could even be forgiven for storming into the comments to argue for a higher ranking here.
“The 28-year-old possesses all the hallmarks of a flair player — the jinking dribbles, the moments of outrageous skill — and pairs them with a relentless work ethic off the ball.
“He is the complete modern attacker, one who marries individual ingenuity with a selfless commitment to the team.”
The others making up the top 10 are as follows: Mo Salah, Achraf Hakimi, Cole Palmer, Kylian Mbappe, Fabian Ruiz, and former Man United player Scott McTominay.
The Scottish midfielder now plays for Napoli and he had an excellent campaign after leaving Leeds’ rivals. It may come as a surprise to see him named alongside Raphinha, but the report ranks him as 10th and Raphinha fourth.
Raphinha playing for Leeds United.
Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images
Raphinha’s explanation for why he joined Leeds
Back in 2020, former Barcelona and Chelsea playmaker Deco was Raphinha’s agent and he was the one who informed him of Leeds’ interest.
When asked why he wanted to join Leeds in his first interview with the club, Raphinha said: “Deco told me about the club’s interest in me and that made me really happy that the club was interested in my football, in my work.
“And I believe like any other player, would immediately want to come to the Premier League, the best league in the world.
“I’m very satisfied to come here and make this dream come true to play in the Premier League.”
The pair now work together again at the Camp Nou as Deco was appointed Barcelona’s Sporting Director in 2023.