Flick Blasts Raphinha Snub as Barcelona Prepare for Villarreal Test
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has criticised the exclusion of Raphinha from FIFA’s Best XI, calling the decision baffling after a season he believes defined Barça’s success.
The Brazilian forward was left out of the final selection despite producing one of the most decisive campaigns in Europe, scoring 34 goals and registering 26 assists as Barcelona swept LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Supercopa, while also reaching their first Champions League semifinal since 2019.
Raphinha’s omission stood out even more given the inclusion of teammates and rivals such as Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembélé, Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham, all of whom were selected ahead of him when the team was revealed earlier this week.
Flick addressed the issue without prompting at his pre match press conference before Sunday’s trip to Villarreal, making clear his frustration with the outcome. The Barcelona coach pointed to Raphinha’s influence across competitions, particularly in Europe, where the winger led the Champions League for goal contributions with 22.
The FIFA Best XI is decided by a combined vote of national team coaches, captains, journalists and fans. The final lineup featured Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Willian Pacho, Virgil van Dijk, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha and Pedri, while Raphinha collected just 12 points overall, fewer than other notable omissions such as Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé.
From Flick’s perspective, the numbers and performances leave little room for debate. He highlighted not only Raphinha’s output but also his consistent impact on matches, describing him as the most influential player in Barcelona’s squad last season.
Raphinha’s current campaign has been disrupted by injury, with the forward missing nine matches earlier in the season. Since returning at the end of November, he has quickly regained momentum, scoring three goals in his last four starts and reclaiming his place as the focal point of Barça’s attack.
He is expected to lead the line again on Sunday at Villarreal, although Flick will be without Pedri. The midfielder has been ruled out with a hamstring issue, with the club opting for caution ahead of a congested schedule. Flick confirmed Pedri could be available for the following league fixture against Espanyol.
Barcelona head into their final match of 2025 in strong form, having won seven consecutive LaLiga games to sit top of the table. Villarreal present a significant test, arriving on a six match league winning run of their own that has lifted them to third, four points behind Real Madrid but with two games in hand.
Recent meetings between the sides suggest another open contest. The last four LaLiga clashes have produced 26 goals, with both teams claiming two wins apiece, underlining the attacking threat on display.
As the year draws to a close, Flick was quick to stress the importance of focus over individual recognition. Barcelona’s immediate priority is maintaining their league momentum, starting with a demanding away fixture against one of the division’s most in form sides, before attention turns to the second half of the season in January.