Barcelona winger Raphinha failed to collect a single first-place vote in this year’s Ballon d’Or poll, despite being shortlisted among football’s top performers.
In contrast, some surprising names did manage to attract top billing from the international panel of journalists. Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi, and even Manchester United’s Scott McTominay all received at least one first-place vote.
The revelation highlights the sometimes unpredictable nature of the Ballon d’Or process, where individual voters are free to weigh national allegiances, standout performances, or personal preference alongside broader achievements. While stars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland are perennial heavyweights in the award conversation, scattered top votes for outsiders often spark debate among fans and pundits.
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For Raphinha, who has enjoyed flashes of brilliance but battled inconsistency at Barcelona, the absence of first-place support underscores the challenge of breaking into the elite echelon of global recognition. By contrast, Kvaratskhelia’s dazzling rise with Napoli, Hakimi’s influence at both club and international level, and McTominay’s unexpected scoring surges for Manchester United and Scotland appear to have caught the eye of certain voters.
The outcome may do little to alter the overall standings, but it adds another layer to the narrative surrounding one of football’s most prestigious awards — where prestige, perception, and performance often collide in unpredictable ways.