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The Digest:

Brazilian forward Neymar has publicly criticized the 2025 Ballon d’Or results, describing compatriot Raphinha’s fifth-place finish as “a huge joke.” The Santos star took to social media to express his discontent, arguing that the Barcelona winger’s exceptional season warranted higher recognition in the annual football awards.

Key Points:
  • Neymar criticized the Ballon d’Or organizers on his Instagram account.
  • He specifically targeted Raphinha’s fifth-place finish in the 2025 ranking.
  • Neymar called the positioning “too much of a joke.”
  • Raphinha finished behind Dembele, Yamal, Vitinha, and Mohamed Salah.
  • The Barcelona winger recorded 56 goal contributions in 57 appearances last season.
  • Raphinha helped Barcelona win the LaLiga title and the Copa del Rey.
  • Neymar’s comments highlight ongoing debates about award fairness and recognition.
The outburst reflects deeper tensions in football’s award culture, where individual accolades often spark debates over merit, visibility, and perceived biases in the beautiful game.

Sources: Social Media, Ballon d’Or Results