The wife of Barcelona forward Raphinha has launched a sharp public criticism against football's world governing body, FIFA. This comes after the Brazilian international was surprisingly left out of the prestigious FIFA Team of the Year, an omission that has sparked debate given his high individual ranking in the recent Ballon d'Or vote.
Wife's Social Media Outburst Highlights Omission
The controversy unfolded after FIFA announced its annual Team of the Year lineup on Tuesday evening in Doha, Qatar. While football's elite gathered for the ceremony, Raphinha's name was conspicuously absent from the final eleven. His wife, Rodrigues, did not hide her feelings about the snub.
According to reports from the Portuguese publication A Bola, Rodrigues took to her Instagram story with a pointed, now-deleted message. She sarcastically questioned, 'Is Raphinha a basketball player?' This remark clearly expressed her disbelief that her husband's footballing achievements were overlooked by the selectors.
A Stellar Season Ignored by Selectors
The frustration from Raphinha's camp is rooted in his outstanding performances during the 2024-25 season. The winger was instrumental in Barcelona's successful campaign, which saw them clinch the LaLiga title and reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
His individual statistics were remarkable, contributing 34 goals and 26 assists across all competitions. These exploits earned him significant recognition earlier in the year. In September, he finished in an impressive 5th place in the Ballon d'Or rankings. Furthermore, he was named LaLiga's Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season, an award where he notably beat his own talented teammate, Lamine Yamal.
The final FIFA Team of the Year, however, featured a different set of stars:
- Goalkeeper: Gigi Donnarumma
- Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, William Pacho, Virgil van Dijk, Nuno Mendes
- Midfielders: Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Vitinha, Pedri
- Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembele
Raphinha was not alone as a high-profile omission; stars like Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah were also left out of the selection.
Injury Woes a Possible Factor in FIFA's Decision
While his previous season's form was undeniable, a key factor in his exclusion may be his current campaign. The Brazilian has been plagued by injury in the 2025-26 season, managing only 10 appearances for Barcelona so far. FIFA's selection panel often considers a player's form and impact across the entire calendar year leading up to the award, and his recent spell on the sidelines likely influenced their final decision.
Nevertheless, the public reaction from his wife underscores the perceived injustice felt by the player's camp. It highlights the ongoing debate about award criteria, balancing past achievements with present availability, and how individual accolades are measured against team selections.
