Wayne Rooney labels Barcelona star’s Ballon d’Or finish ‘a joke’ | OneFootball

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has revealed his take that the final placing of Barcelona star Raphinha in the Ballon d’Or rankings was nothing short of ‘a joke’.

The 2025 Ballon d’Or gala of course took place earlier this week.

Raphinha, for his part, was considered one of the leading contenders to scoop the ‘Golden Ball’ in France’s capital of Paris.

In the end, however, the Brazilian was condemned to an altogether disappointing 5th-placed finish.

As much has since been met by something of a backlash across the world of football, with Raphinha fresh off nothing short of a spectacular last 12 months.

And as alluded to above, sharing the opinion that the 28-year-old was altogether hard done by on the part of the Ballon d’Or voters is English icon Wayne Rooney.

Speaking during a media appearance in the aftermath of this week’s gala, ex-striker Rooney sniped:

“It’s a joke, really. How is it that Raphinha finished fifth and Vitinha third? He led his team in the key moments, played with passion and heart, and gave us magical evenings. If that doesn’t deserve the Ballon d’Or, what does? For me, he should have been number one.”

Conor Laird – GSFN