Hansi Flick Slams FIFA Best XI Over Shock Raphinha Snub

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has publicly criticised FIFA after winger Raphinha was controversially left out of the 2025 FIFA Best Men’s XI, despite producing one of the most dominant individual seasons in European football.

The German tactician did not mince words, branding the omission a “joke” and insisting that Raphinha was Barcelona’s most influential player throughout their trophy-laden campaign.

Raphinha’s Incredible Season For Barcelona

By every measurable standard, Raphinha delivered a historic season in a Barcelona shirt. The Brazilian attacker recorded a staggering 34 goals and 26 assists in 57 appearances across all competitions, playing a central role in Barcelona’s domestic dominance.

His contributions powered the Blaugrana to a LaLiga title, Copa del Rey triumph, and Spanish Super Cup victory, making him arguably the engine of Flick’s attacking system.

On an individual level, Raphinha’s brilliance was widely recognised:

• LaLiga Player of the Season

• 5th place in the 2025 Ballon d’Or

• 22 goal contributions in the UEFA Champions League, the highest in the competition

Despite these achievements, he was overlooked when FIFA unveiled its Best Men’s XI, even as teammate Lamine Yamal earned inclusion after finishing second in the Ballon d’Or rankings.

Flick Calls Out FIFA’s Decision

Hansi Flick made his feelings crystal clear when addressing the snub, expressing disbelief that a player with Raphinha’s numbers could be excluded.

“This FIFA Best XI players is a joke, really a joke,” Flick said.
“When I see there is no Raphinha in the side, it’s unbelievable. He was the player in this team with the greatest influence.

“In the Champions League alone, he had 22 goal contributions, the best in the competition. When you watch the matches, the goals he scored, the assists he made, it’s unbelievable. It’s not fair to him.”

Flick’s comments echo the growing frustration among fans and pundits who believe that awards increasingly favour hype over consistent elite performance.

A Growing Debate Around Football Awards

Raphinha’s omission has reignited debates about how football awards are decided and whether statistical dominance and on-field impact are being overshadowed by popularity narratives.

For Barcelona supporters, the snub feels especially harsh given Raphinha’s role as the team’s most productive and reliable attacking force during a season of unprecedented success.

While FIFA’s list may be final, Flick’s defence of his player reinforces the belief inside the Barcelona camp that Raphinha’s legacy from last season cannot be erased by an awards shortlist.

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