Imagine a world where a player scores 34 goals, provides 26 assists, and helps his team win La Liga and the Copa del Rey, yet he’s left out of the FIFA Best XI. Sounds absurd, right? But that’s exactly what happened to Barcelona’s Raphinha, and Hansi Flick is not holding back his frustration. The Barcelona manager has slammed FIFA’s decision as a ‘joke’ and ‘not fair,’ sparking a debate that’s dividing football fans worldwide.
During the 2024-25 season, Raphinha wasn’t just a player—he was a phenomenon. Under Flick’s guidance, the Brazilian forward delivered the best performance of his career, outshining many of his peers in terms of goal contributions. Yet, when FIFA unveiled its Best XI at Tuesday’s ceremony in Qatar, Raphinha’s name was nowhere to be found. Instead, his teammates Lamine Yamal and Pedri made the cut, leaving Flick baffled.
‘I don’t want to compare players, but Raphinha’s exclusion is surprising,’ Flick said ahead of Barcelona’s La Liga clash with Villarreal. ‘His influence was incredible—goals, assists, game-changing moments. To leave him out of the ideal eleven is, frankly, a joke. It’s not fair, and I won’t shy away from saying it.’
And here’s where it gets controversial: Raphinha’s 60 goal contributions (34 goals + 26 assists) surpassed those of Ousmane Dembele, Cole Palmer, and even Yamal, who were all included in FIFA’s team. Even stars like Harry Kane (41 goals, 14 assists) and Mohamed Salah (34 goals, 23 assists) were snubbed. So, what’s the criteria here? Is it purely about stats, or is there something more subjective at play? Flick’s comments raise a thought-provoking question: Are we truly recognizing the best players, or are we missing the mark?
Meanwhile, Flick had more on his plate than just Raphinha’s omission. He confirmed that Pedri would miss the Villarreal match due to a quadriceps issue, which could sideline the midfielder for up to two months if not handled carefully. ‘I’m not happy about it,’ Flick admitted. ‘But he’ll likely be back for the derby against Espanyol on January 3. We’re taking no risks.’
Pedri’s absence is a blow, but Flick remains focused on the bigger picture. ‘He’s undergoing treatment, and we’ll need him for the Supercopa de Espana,’ he added. ‘It’s not dangerous, but we have to protect him. We have quality players, but Pedri’s unique.’
As Barcelona sits comfortably atop La Liga with a four-point lead over Real Madrid, Flick’s concerns extend beyond the pitch. This is the part most people miss: The FIFA Best XI isn’t just about individual talent—it’s about recognizing players who’ve made a season unforgettable. So, did FIFA get it wrong with Raphinha? Or is there a valid reason for his exclusion? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—agree or disagree, this debate is far from over.
