Rafinha When Asked About Missing FIFA Best XI After Match: I Don’t Care, It’s Meaningless

In the 17th round of La Liga, Barcelona defeated Villarreal 2-0. Rafinha won and converted a penalty in this match.

According to media, Rafinha was approached by the outlet’s reporter in the mixed zone after the game and asked about missing out on both the FIFA Best Men’s Player and the FIFA Best XI. He replied: “I don’t care. It means nothing to me.”

Prior to the match, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, without being asked by any reporter, directly slammed the selection of this year’s FIFA Best XI during his pre-match press conference. He stated that Rafinha’s omission was incredible.

Flick said: “It’s unbelievable to me. It’s not a big deal in itself because I don’t get too hung up on best XIs, but this FIFA selection is a joke. When I saw Rafinha wasn’t on the list, it was incredible. He was crucial for us last season, contributing to 22 goals in the Champions League, the top competition.

“If you look at his goals, assists and influence on the pitch, it’s unparalleled. This is so unfair to him. It’s a joke. I can’t believe he’s not in the world’s best XI. After the season he’s had, he absolutely deserves it. It’s incredible.”

On the day the FIFA Best XI was announced, Rafinha’s wife also posted four consecutive messages on social media, slamming FIFA for “not even pretending anymore” and questioning the unfairness of the selection towards Rafinha.

In this year’s FIFA Best Men’s Player award, Rafinha finished fifth in the voting. He also missed out on the FIFA Best XI.

In the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting, Rafinha scored 620 points and also finished fifth. His Barcelona teammates Lamine Yamal came second, while Ousmane Dembélé won the award.

Additionally, Rafinha was omitted from the FIFPro World 11, which is voted for by players.

Rafinha’s Career-High Stats Last Season (Club + National Team)