Barcelona winger Raphinha has revealed that winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or has indeed crossed his mind. The Brazilian international, however, emphasized that his primary focus remains on achieving collective success with his club and country.
Currently on international duty with Brazil, Raphinha addressed his ambitions during a conversation with football legend Romario. Despite admitting the allure of individual accolades, the winger stressed that personal goals take a backseat to team achievements.
“Winning the Ballon d’Or? It’s only natural that it would cross my mind, and if I told you otherwise, I would be lying. But I try to put that aside and focus on my personal goals in my career, whether in terms of scoring goals, making assists, or winning titles.”
Raphinha’s Barcelona teammate Vinicius Jr. came close to clinching the Ballon d’Or last year but ultimately lost out to Manchester City’s Rodri. While Vinicius’ form has often placed him in the spotlight, Raphinha has quietly amassed an impressive tally of 27 goals and 20 assists this season, solidifying his importance in Xavi’s squad.
Previously, Raphinha had dismissed the idea of pursuing the Ballon d’Or as a primary objective.
“The Ballon d’Or is not a priority for me. My goals are related to my performance on the field. I try to be better tomorrow than I am today. Winning the Ballon d’Or is not a personal goal for me.”
As Barcelona continues to compete on multiple fronts, Raphinha’s contributions remain vital. Whether or not the coveted golden ball comes his way, the Brazilian’s dedication to growth and success is clear. Fans will undoubtedly be watching to see how his career trajectory evolves from here.
