Raphinha’s exclusion from The Best FIFA XI has triggered a strong reaction from his wife, Natalia Rodrigues, who took to social media to express her outrage following another snub for the Barcelona winger. The Brazilian forward, who had an outstanding 2024/25 season, was unexpectedly left out of FIFA’s final XI despite playing a pivotal role in helping Barcelona secure La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup, in addition to earning the La Liga Player of the Season award.
Rodrigues’ reaction on Instagram reflected her disappointment and disbelief. She described the omission as an “injustice,” questioning the transparency and criteria behind the selection of the final XI. In a series of now-deleted posts, she sarcastically asked whether Raphinha had been “playing basketball” and implied that bias in the selection process was becoming increasingly blatant.
Raphinha had initially been included in FIFA’s 26-man shortlist but did not secure enough votes to make the final lineup. Meanwhile, Barcelona teammates Pedri and Lamine Yamal made the cut, alongside other stars such as Ousmane Dembélé, Jude Bellingham, and Cole Palmer, leaving Raphinha noticeably absent from recognition.
Exceptional performance, limited acknowledgment
The omission has raised eyebrows given Raphinha’s remarkable statistics last season. In 36 La Liga games, the forward scored 18 goals and provided 10 assists, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most influential wide attackers. Despite these impressive numbers, he was also excluded from the FIFPro World XI, prompting further criticism from fans and football analysts alike.
Earlier, Raphinha had reacted to the FIFPro snub by posting his season statistics and trophies on social media, highlighting what he viewed as a clear disconnect between his performance on the pitch and the recognition he received from football governing bodies.
Ballon d’Or disappointment and peer support
The 28-year-old was also considered a potential Ballon d’Or contender but ultimately finished fifth, with the award going to Dembélé after his treble-winning campaign with PSG. Despite this, Raphinha admitted he felt he deserved more recognition but emphasized that individual awards are beyond his control, highlighting his team-oriented mindset and professional attitude.
Adding to the debate, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone publicly praised Raphinha, describing him as a world-class all-round player and questioning how he could be overlooked in the Ballon d’Or rankings, further fueling discussions around fairness in football awards and player recognition.
Back on the pitch
After a challenging start to the current season due to injury, Raphinha has returned to full fitness and is performing impressively, netting six goals and providing three assists in 10 La Liga appearances so far. Barcelona currently sit four points clear at the top of the table, and the forward remains a central figure in Hansi Flick’s tactical plans as the club continues its campaign in domestic and European competitions.
Fans and pundits alike are eagerly watching to see whether Raphinha’s on-field excellence will finally be matched by deserved recognition in future awards, while his wife Natalia Rodrigues’ public support underscores the couple’s unity and determination to challenge perceived injustices in the football world.