Barcelona forward tipped for Ballon d’Or glory by Brazil legend – ‘His goals have been important’ | OneFootball

Legendary Brazil striker Romario has thrown his full support behind Raphinha to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, following what can only be described as a career-defining season for the Barcelona winger.

In a glowing endorsement, the former World Cup winner claimed that Raphinha’s performances at both club and international level have been exceptional enough to make him the standout candidate for football’s most prestigious individual prize.

“I would choose Raphinha,” Romario said with conviction, pointing to the Brazilian’s massive contributions to both Barcelona and the Selecao.

Stats to back him up

At 28 years old, Raphinha has just completed a monumental 2024–25 season, recording an astonishing 34 goals and 25 assists in 57 matches across all competitions.

That is not just impressive for a winger, it is Ballon d’Or-worthy. He also dominated the Champions League, finishing as top scorer (13 goals) and top assist provider (9 assists), playing a pivotal role in guiding Barça deep into the tournament.

Raphinha’s journey to this moment has not been straightforward. Since his arrival, he has shown flashes of brilliance, but under new management and with renewed confidence, he has exploded into a player who not only scores goals but also dictates games.

A Ballon d’Or mindset

The former striker also emphasised how vital the winger’s goals have been, not only to his personal legacy, but to Barcelona’s campaign and the Brazilian national team’s success as well.

“Right now, I would choose Raphinha because he’s scored a lot of goals, and those goals have been important, not only for his career, but also for Barça and the Brazilian national team,” Romario told ESPN.

Interestingly, this is not the first time Raphinha’s Ballon d’Or chances have come up in conversation.

Back in March, during an appearance on Romario’s podcast, the winger admitted that he dreams of winning the award, even though he tries to focus on his day-to-day goals.

“It’s only natural that it would cross my mind, and if I told you otherwise, I would be lying,”  Raphinha had said. That humble yet ambitious mindset has served him well this season.