2026 Ballon d’Or Rankings Stir Debate: Where Is Raphinha?
The final 2026 Ballon d’Or ranking has prompted plenty of debate among football fans, with several high-profile names finishing below expectations—or missing from the shortlist entirely. Harry Kane claimed the top prize after a fiercely contested season, but the positions of players such as Jude Bellingham, Vitinha and Pau Cubarsí have left supporters questioning how individual performances were weighed.
One of the biggest talking points is the absence of Barcelona and Brazil winger Raphinha. His exclusion from the final list has sharpened discussion about the award’s voting criteria, including how much influence team trophies, international performances and individual statistics should have on the outcome. While any Ballon d’Or prediction is uncertain before the votes are revealed, the final ranking has provided no shortage of surprises.
Jude Bellingham Finishes Just Outside the Top 10
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham placed 11th, narrowly missing out on a top-10 finish. The result was among the most striking disappointments highlighted by Spanish newspaper AS, particularly given the England international’s impact for club and country.
Bellingham’s performances during the season had helped build expectations of a higher position. His contribution at the World Cup was especially memorable: he scored seven goals and played a prominent role for England. For many observers, that combination of influence, production and high-pressure experience appeared to make him a strong candidate for a place among the leading contenders.
His 11th-place finish does not erase the quality of his campaign, but it illustrates how tightly packed the competition was. In an award race featuring elite players and major achievements across several leagues, even a standout season may not guarantee a place in the top 10. The ranking is also a reminder that voters assess an entire year of football, rather than a handful of defining moments.
Vitinha’s Drop to 14th Raises Questions
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha finished 14th, a notable fall after placing third in the previous edition. The Portuguese international remained an important part of PSG’s success, including the club’s Champions League triumph for a second consecutive season.
His attacking numbers were also respectable. Vitinha recorded seven goals and 10 assists during the latest campaign, following a previous season in which he scored eight goals and supplied five assists. Those figures suggest a player who continued to contribute in the final third while fulfilling a demanding role in Luis Enrique’s midfield.
AS suggested Portugal’s World Cup campaign may have influenced how voters viewed Vitinha’s case. International performances can carry considerable weight in a Ballon d’Or assessment, especially in a year with a major tournament. Still, his club achievements and consistent presence in PSG’s system led some supporters to expect a higher finish.
Pau Cubarsí’s 12th-Place Ranking Divides Fans
Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí placed 12th, also ending the season outside the top 10. His ranking attracted attention because of his influence at a remarkably young age, both for Barcelona and Spain. Supporters argued that his composure, defensive reading and ability to contribute during build-up play made him one of the campaign’s most impressive young players.
Defenders can face a difficult path in individual awards. Goals and assists are easy to compare, while the value of positioning, anticipation and organisation is often less visible in headline statistics. Cubarsí’s finish therefore renewed a familiar discussion: whether the Ballon d’Or gives enough recognition to players whose work is measured through prevention as much as production.
His position at 12th nevertheless signals significant recognition. The debate is less about whether Cubarsí had an excellent season and more about whether his performances warranted a place closer to the top of the list.
PSG Stars Feature Prominently, but Some Fall Short
PSG had a substantial presence among the 30 candidates, yet several of its players finished lower than some fans anticipated. Fabian Ruiz took 10th after contributing to the Paris club’s success and delivering important performances for club and country.
Ousmane Dembélé placed seventh, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia came sixth. Both were central figures in PSG’s European campaign, but AS argued that Kvaratskhelia in particular could have ranked higher. His influence in attacking areas and his role in the club’s progress through major competitions made his position a talking point.
Michael Olise, who impressed with Bayern Munich, finished ninth, behind Erling Haaland in eighth. Their placements reflect the depth of the field: a strong season can still leave a player outside the top five when several rivals also combine individual excellence with major team achievements.
Raphinha’s Omission Becomes the Biggest Question
While debate has focused on players who finished lower than expected, Raphinha’s absence from the final candidate list may be the most striking omission. The Brazilian produced a standout season for Barcelona, making his failure to appear among the selected names difficult for many supporters to understand.
Raphinha’s case highlights the challenge of judging an award that combines performance, reputation and team success. Voters may consider goals, assists, consistency, influence in decisive matches and a player’s contribution to trophies. Yet the weighting of those factors is not always transparent, leaving room for disagreement when an accomplished campaign does not result in a nomination.
Other notable players reportedly left out included Barcelona midfielder Pedri, PSG’s Warren Zaïre-Emery, Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal and goalkeeper Unai Simón. Their omissions, alongside Raphinha’s, have encouraged fans to ask whether the selection process gives sufficient attention to players whose impact may not be captured by simple statistics.
A Ranking That Keeps the Ballon d’Or Debate Alive
Harry Kane’s victory capped a competitive year, but the final standings have ensured that conversation will continue well beyond the ceremony. Bellingham’s 11th place, Vitinha’s drop to 14th, Cubarsí’s position outside the top 10 and Raphinha’s exclusion all point to the same issue: there is no universally accepted formula for ranking football’s best individual seasons.
For fans looking ahead to the next award cycle, the latest results also offer a reminder that prediction is only part of the story. A player’s form, international tournament performances, club trophies and role in decisive matches can all reshape the race. Until the voting criteria and ballots are fully understood, the final ranking will remain open to interpretation—and the question “Where is Raphinha?” is likely to remain one of its most memorable talking points.
