Barcelona winger admits being hurt by lack of recognition after brilliant season: ‘It was very unfair’ | OneFootball

Raphinha was one of the main architects of FC Barcelona’s spectacular 2024/25 season when they went on to win the La Liga title, the Spanish Super Cup, and the Copa del Rey.

The 29-year-old Brazilian winger not only led the team as a captain, but also delivered the numbers on the field, racking up more than 60 direct goal involvements over the course of the campaign.

Yet, when it came to the major individual awards, Raphinha was constantly overlooked as he did not make the top three of the 2025 Ballon d’Or and did not win FIFA’s The Best award either.

On Monday, though, the Barcelona attacker was rewarded for his brilliance by SER Catalunya, who honoured him with the Toresky Award for the Best Athlete of the Year.

On individual and team awards

Speaking to SER after receiving his accolade, Raphinha admitted that while he values collective team trophies over individual honours, it always felt nice to see one’s contributions receive the recognition they deserved.

“Yes, the truth is that recognition for your work is very special; in the end, well, knowing that you’ve given your best and receiving an award for it is very rewarding,” he stated.

“For me, the most important thing is team awards, which is why I came to the club, but if I told you that individual awards weren’t important, I’d be lying.”

On whether he felt that his brilliant season in Europe was not recognised and celebrated as much as it should have been, Raphinha admitted:

“I don’t owe anything to anyone. I know the season I had, and I know it was very unfair; in the end, it’s something we can’t control. I have no control over anything off the field.

“Ultimately, you have to be friendly with the people who vote. I’m someone who will deliver results on the field, and whatever happens, I’m satisfied with the season I’ve had.”

Expressing his gratitude after winning the Toresky Award, he added: “I’m truly grateful; it means a lot to me and my family. Ultimately, it’s a special recognition because it’s an award from Barcelona and Catalonia. Receiving this award is a great honour.”

“It seems someone has watched the matches (laughs). It doesn’t matter, for me the important thing is the home awards,” Raphinha further remarked.

On playing for Barcelona, fitness

Talking about what it meant to him to be playing for a club like Barcelona and living in Catalonia, the Brazilian remarked:

“It’s something very special to receive this award, for me, for my family; we have felt very embraced in this city that we feel is home, and it is very special for us despite not having been here for very long.”

Continuing, he added: “Honestly, I think that, beyond the team, living in this city was a dream. We really love the beach and being in a city with wonderful weather.

“Everyone has welcomed us so warmly from day one. We already liked it before, and it’s become even more special because of the affection of the people.”

Recovering from an injury. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Raphinha is currently recovering from an overload that kept him out of action for the games against Albacete and Mallorca. When asked if he would be ready to face Atletico Madrid later this week in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, he replied:

“I don’t know yet, but I’m trying to recover as quickly as possible; I’m the first one who doesn’t like being out. I don’t want to be at 50% because I know I won’t perform, so I’m going to try to be at 100% as soon as possible.”

Regarding Hansi Flick being unhappy with the Brazilian’s latest injury blow, he added: “Well, the truth is, if it’s for the good of everyone, we all have to see where we can improve, and that’s not a problem. I have to improve where I’m going, and so does everyone else.”

On the La Liga title race, where Real Madrid are only one point behind Barcelona despite not playing well, Raphinha noted:

“Honestly, I don’t pay attention to any of the other teams. I think we have to do our job, and if we do it well, we don’t care about the others.”

Finally, if he had said anything to Lamine Yamal after finding out that he was winning the Toresky Award over the youngster, the Barcelona winger replied:

“Nah, nah (laughs). In the end, Lamine also deserves the awards he’s won and the ones he hasn’t, which I also think many have been very unfair to him.

“He’s a kid, who has many football dreams ahead of him, and I’m sure he’ll win all the individual awards he has ahead of him.”