Raphinha answers Ballon d’Or omission with double award recognition

Raphinha has received two individual honours in the same week that he was left out of the 30-player shortlist for the Ballon d’Or.

The Barcelona forward was named in UEFA’s team of the week for the opening round of the Champions League and was also voted La Liga’s player of the month for August.

Raphinha’s place in UEFA’s best XI was recognition for his influential display against Feyenoord, when he scored twice. His first goal came after he skilfully dribbled past two defenders from the Dutch side.

UEFA praised the Barcelona captain for leading his team’s attacking press with intensity and for repeatedly running in behind the defence to create danger. His movement and passing between the lines were also highlighted before he completed his performance with two goals.

Raphinha was joined in the team by three players who have previously represented Barcelona. They were Sergino Dest of PSV, Marc Bartra of Real Betis and Ferran Torres, now a Paris Saint-Germain forward.

Bartra scored twice against VfB Stuttgart, while Ferran Torres claimed a hat-trick against SK Slovan Bratislava at Parc des Princes.

Raphinha’s second honour came from La Liga, which selected him as its best player for August after his strong start to the campaign with Barcelona.

The Brazil forward scored eight goals in five matches across all competitions. Six of those goals came in four La Liga appearances: two against Elche, one against Athletic Club, two against Rayo Vallecano and one against Valencia.

The recognition bridges a notable contrast for Raphinha. Despite his early-season form and his two latest honours, he was not included in the Ballon d’Or shortlist, with Barcelona team-mate Pedri also absent from the 30-player selection.