Raphinha’s Reflection on Exclusion from FIFPRO Men’s World 11
Following his exclusion from the prestigious FIFPRO Men’s World 11, Raphinha, the 28-year-old forward for FC Barcelona, took to social media on Tuesday to reflect on his substantial contributions over the past season. With a remarkable record of 34 goals and 26 assists across 57 appearances, Raphinha played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s success, aiding the team in clinching La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Supercopa.
Despite these impressive achievements, he did not secure a place in the FIFPRO’s esteemed team of the year, which is determined by a vote from over 20,000 professional football players. Notably, players such as Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Cole Palmer, and Jude Bellingham were favored ahead of him for attacking positions.
Social Media Response and Achievements
Raphinha, who finished fifth in this year’s Ballon d’Or ranking, expressed his disappointment through a series of over 15 posts on Instagram, showcasing his season’s highlights. Among his notable accomplishments was being the joint leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League with 13 goals, along with receiving La Liga’s Player of the Season award.
Teammate’s Historic Nomination
In stark contrast, his teammate Yamal made history by becoming the youngest player ever nominated for the FIFPRO team, surpassing a record set by the then-19-year-old Mbappé in 2018. The chosen squad also featured goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, defenders Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Virgil van Dijk, alongside midfielders Vitinha and Pedri.
Current Status and Coach’s Comments
Currently, Raphinha is sidelined with a hamstring injury, missing seven consecutive matches following a strong start to the season where he scored three goals in his first seven outings. His absence has been felt keenly, especially as he was left out of Brazil’s squad for upcoming friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia.
Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s coach, is eager for his return, noting, “I miss Raphinha because he was very important last season. When he’s at this level, he significantly benefits the team. So, of course, I miss him.”
