By Almighty FM Sports Desk
The Ballon d’Or is supposed to be football’s most prestigious individual award, the one crown that separates great seasons from truly legendary ones. Yet, every year it sparks debate, controversy, and heated arguments from fans, pundits, and even the players themselves. In 2025, the story is no different.
This time, the headlines belong to Wayne Rooney, England’s all-time leading scorer and Manchester United icon, who openly criticized the final rankings. Rooney’s comments were aimed at the placement of Barcelona’s winger Raphinha, who finished fifth, behind PSG midfielder Vitinha, who came in third.
“Is this a joke, seriously? How can Raphinha be 5th while Vitinha is 3rd? Raphinha led his team in crucial moments, played with passion & heart & gave us magical nights. If that’s not worthy of the Ballon d’Or then what is? In my opinion, he should be no.1.” – Wayne Rooney
🔢 The 2025 Ballon d’Or Top 5
According to official results, the 2025 top five were:
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Ousmane Dembélé (Barcelona)
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Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
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Vitinha (PSG)
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Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
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Raphinha (Barcelona)
While few argue against Dembélé and Yamal after their dazzling seasons in Spain, it’s the placement of Vitinha above Raphinha that triggered Rooney’s blunt reaction.
🟦 Raphinha’s Case
Rooney—and many fans—argue that Raphinha’s contributions were underestimated. His numbers may not have been the highest in Europe, but what made him stand out were the decisive goals, assists, and moments where he turned games around almost single-handedly.
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Against top rivals, he was often Barcelona’s most dangerous man.
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His pressing and relentless running lifted the team in tough moments.
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Supporters frequently describe him as a player of “magic nights,” someone who thrives when the pressure is highest.
Rooney’s frustration is rooted in the belief that awards should not only be about trophies or team glory but about individual impact in defining matches.
🟥 Vitinha’s Case
On the other side, Vitinha’s third-place finish can be explained by PSG’s treble-winning season. The Portuguese midfielder was at the heart of everything his team did—controlling midfield tempo, breaking opposition presses, and linking defense to attack.
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He was vital in the Champions League run, showing calmness against elite opposition.
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His passing accuracy and consistency made him one of Europe’s standout midfielders.
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Many journalists view him as the “unsung hero” of PSG’s system.
While his style is less spectacular, his role in one of the most successful PSG seasons in history clearly influenced the voters.
🗣️ Why Rooney’s Words Matter
Rooney is no stranger to the Ballon d’Or stage—having been nominated multiple times during his career. His complaint reflects a wider concern many fans have expressed: Is the Ballon d’Or becoming too biased toward trophy-winners and narratives rather than pure footballing influence?
His direct statement, “If that’s not worthy of the Ballon d’Or then what is?” exposes the gap between fan perception and official voting patterns.
🔍 Speculations Around the Award
Every year, debates about the credibility and transparency of the Ballon d’Or grow louder. The 2025 edition has opened more speculation than ever:
1. Trophy Bias
Did Vitinha’s treble with PSG automatically push him ahead of others, even if his performances were less dramatic? Many fans feel the award often becomes a reflection of team achievements rather than individual brilliance.
2. Narrative Influence
Lamine Yamal’s rise as a teenage prodigy and Dembélé’s renaissance season were irresistible stories for voters. But did these “narratives” overshadow consistent performers like Salah and Raphinha?
3. Position Discrimination
Attackers often dominate the top spots. Midfielders like Vitinha sometimes benefit when their team wins big trophies, but defenders and goalkeepers remain overlooked. Could this system ever truly value all positions equally?
4. Voting Politics
The Ballon d’Or is voted on by journalists across the world. There’s long been speculation that some nations vote strategically, favoring players from certain leagues, clubs, or regions. Could Raphinha’s Brazilian nationality and Barcelona’s mixed season have worked against him?
5. Commercial & Media Pressure
Some speculate that the award is also influenced by commercial narratives—who sells headlines, who has the bigger sponsorships, and who drives more engagement globally. Raphinha, while popular among fans, may not have the same commercial pull as Dembélé or Salah.
🌍 Global Fan Reactions
Social media lit up immediately after the rankings were announced. Fans worldwide debated whether Raphinha was robbed, whether Vitinha deserved his spot, and whether the Ballon d’Or has lost its objectivity.
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On Reddit forums, threads reached thousands of comments questioning the criteria.
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Brazilian fans expressed anger that Raphinha, despite his heroics, was placed below Salah and Vitinha.
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PSG supporters defended Vitinha, claiming midfield intelligence often goes unappreciated.
This divide shows just how polarizing the Ballon d’Or remains—and why legends like Rooney speaking out only amplify the storm.
⚖️ Redefining the Ballon d’Or?
The controversy raises one big question: Should the Ballon d’Or change its criteria?
Some proposals from football writers and analysts include:
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Separating awards by position (best forward, best midfielder, etc.).
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Giving more statistical transparency on how votes are calculated.
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Adding a fan-vote element to balance journalist decisions.
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Placing greater emphasis on “match-defining moments” rather than just trophies.
If changes like these are ever introduced, future editions might avoid controversies like the one Rooney highlighted.
🏁 Conclusion
Wayne Rooney’s fierce reaction to the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings is not just about Raphinha—it’s about the credibility of football’s most prestigious individual award.
His frustration echoes the feelings of countless fans: that sometimes the Ballon d’Or reflects politics, narratives, and trophies more than the actual soul of football.
Whether you agree with him or not, his words keep the debate alive—and that, ultimately, is what ensures football remains the most passionately discussed sport in the world.
At Almighty FM 103.7, we’ll keep following the fallout from this year’s Ballon d’Or, bringing you every reaction, analysis, and speculation. Because in football, the game doesn’t end when the whistle blows—it continues in the conversations, the controversies, and the dreams of what could have been.
