Overview
- The Barcelona forward told Sofascore he was upset by his 2025 Ballon d'Or result and expected to be at least in the top three.
- He said he would have placed himself first, contending that an individual honor should not hinge on a single competition.
- Raphinha acknowledged the Champions League's heavy weight in voting and said Dembélé merited the prize under that emphasis.
- He cited a standout campaign with Barcelona, posting 34 goals and 25 assists across 56 games as the club won LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Supercopa, plus 13 goals and nine assists in 14 Champions League matches en route to the semifinals.
- Dembélé won the award after scoring 35 goals in 53 games for treble-winning PSG, while figures such as Diego Simeone and Neymar voiced surprise at Raphinha's lower placement.