Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has sharply criticized the exclusion of Raphinha from FIFA’s Best XI this week, calling it a “joke.”
At 29, Raphinha had an impressive season, netting 34 goals and providing 26 assists across all competitions as Barça secured LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Supercopa, while also reaching their first Champions League semifinal since 2019.
Despite his success, the former Leeds United forward was overlooked when FIFA announced its Best XI last Tuesday, with teammates Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembélé, Cole Palmer, and Jude Bellingham being selected instead.
Flick expressed his disappointment during a press conference prior to Barcelona’s upcoming match against Villarreal in LaLiga, stating, “It’s not something I usually care about, but the FIFA Best XI is really a joke. Seeing Raphinha left out is unbelievable.”
The team is determined by votes from national coaches, team captains, journalists, and fans. Other notable omissions included Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Willian Pacho, Virgil van Dijk, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, and Pedri.
Raphinha received a total of 12 points in the voting, trailing behind high-profile players like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé, both of whom were also excluded.
“Raphinha was the most influential player on the pitch,” Flick continued. “In the Champions League, he registered 22 goal contributions, the highest in the tournament. Given his performances, with the number of goals and assists he provided, it’s astonishing. This is truly unfair to him. After the season he had, he absolutely deserved that recognition.”
Although Raphinha has missed nine games this season because of injury, he made a return in late November, scoring three goals in his last four appearances. He is set to spearhead Barça’s attack against Villarreal, though Flick will be without midfielder Pedri due to a hamstring issue.
“Pedri is unavailable,” Flick confirmed. “I’m disappointed but it’s part of the game. He’s injured, but I expect him to be ready for our next match against Espanyol. We need to be cautious with his hamstring. The risk is too great to put him on the pitch right now; otherwise, he could be out for two months, and that wouldn’t be ideal.”
This match against Villarreal is Barcelona’s last of the year before the LaLiga break in January.
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The match features LaLiga leaders Barça, who have won their last seven league matches, facing off against a Villarreal side also in impressive form, with six consecutive wins, currently sitting third in the table, four points behind second-placed Real Madrid but holding two games in hand.
The most recent four encounters between Barcelona and Villarreal in LaLiga have produced a staggering 26 goals, with each side winning two matches.
“Every game is crucial, and they are all challenging,” Flick stated. “We are up against a strong team with a lot of talent, and I admire their style of play. Kudos to their coach [Marcelino García Toral]. They have made significant progress over the past few years.”