Barcelona head coach says the awards are “a joke” after his best player was left out
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is unhappy about Raphinha’s omission from the Fifa Best XI.
The Brazilian winger had a remarkable 2024-25 campaign, producing 34 goals and 26 assists in all competitions, better than the 49 goal contributions that Ronaldinho produced in his best season at Barcelona in 2005-06.
He was also named La Liga player of the year and helped Barcelona to a domestic treble. Yet he failed to make the XI.
Included in the lineup were naturally Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, but also Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal on the attacking side of things.
“It’s not a big thing because in general I don’t care about these things, but this Fifa Best XI players is a joke, really a joke,” said Flick. “When I see there is no Raphinha in the side, it’s unbelievable.
“Raphinha was the player in this team with the greatest influence. In the Champions League, he had 22 goal contributions, the best in the Champions League.
“When you see the matches he played, how many goals he scored, the assists he had, it’s unbelievable. This is really not fair to him.”
The Fifa Best XI are selected through a voting process involving national team head coaches, captains, journalists and fans.
After the awards, Raphinha’s wife reacted angrily on social media, saying it was “injustice” that he had been left out.
“They don’t even hide it anymore!” said Natalia Rodrigues. “Is Raphinha a Basketball player?! INJUSTICE.”
“For me, it’s a joke,” Flick said. “I can’t believe it because after the season he had, he deserved it. It’s unbelievable.”
