"The announcement of the 2025 FIFPRO Men's World 11 has stirred controversy, particularly in Barcelona, where fans were left baffled by the omission of Raphinha. The Brazilian winger, who enjoyed the most productive season of his career in 2024/25, was nowhere to be seen in the star-studded lineup. Raphinha's exclusion is difficult to understand, considering his extraordinary contributions to Barça's treble-winning campaign. The 28-year-old ended the season with 34 goals and 22 assists."
"Clearly disappointed, Raphinha took to social media to express his feelings, not through words, but through a telling set of posts. Early this morning, he shared 17 Instagram stories, each highlighting his achievements from last season: team trophies, personal milestones, and his numerous goal involvements. Many of these posts included three laughing emojis, a subtle yet pointed gesture towards the perceived unfairness of the selection."
"The official FIFPRO Men's World 11 featured a midfield quartet of Pedri, Vitinha, Cole Palmer, and Jude Bellingham, while the attack was formed by Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, and Ousmane Dembele. The inclusion of Palmer and Bellingham ahead of Raphinha has not gone down well among Barça supporters, who see the decision as overlooking merit for popularity. Adding to the debate, Bellingham's campaign was disrupted by recurring shoulder issues, and many feel that Raphinha's consistency, influence, and winning mentality deserved recognition."
The 2025 FIFPRO Men's World 11 omitted Raphinha, provoking controversy in Barcelona. The Brazilian winger recorded 34 goals and 22 assists in 2024/25 and played a central role in Barcelona's treble and Champions League semi-final run. He finished fifth in Ballon d'Or voting. Raphinha posted 17 Instagram stories showcasing trophies, personal milestones and goal involvements, often adding three laughing emojis. The official World 11 named Pedri, Vitinha, Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham in midfield, with Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele in attack. Many Barcelona supporters criticized the selection, citing perceived popularity bias and Bellingham's shoulder issues.
Read at Barca Universal
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