Barcelona winger Raphinha has made a surprising and heartfelt confession, revealing that he’s given up on his dream of winning the Ballon d’Or after witnessing a remarkable performance from an Arsenal player in a recent clash with Real Madrid.
“I always dreamed of winning the Ballon d’Or, but after seeing what he did against Madrid, I’ve already let that go. There’s no way I’m getting picked over him,” Raphinha admitted.
Although he didn’t mention the player by name, he did clarify it wasn’t Thomas Partey or Declan Rice — leading many to believe he was referring to Arsenal sensation Bukayo Saka.
Saka stunned fans and pundits alike with a dazzling Champions League performance against Real Madrid. Displaying incredible speed, sharp passing, and clinical finishing, he played a key role in a game-changing win for Arsenal.
The 22-year-old English star has been phenomenal this season under Mikel Arteta, delivering standout performances both domestically and in Europe. His consistency and brilliance in big moments have sparked serious Ballon d’Or talk — a prize no Arsenal player has ever claimed.
One fan tweeted, “He’ll be the first to win the Ballon d’Or under Arteta. What a season!”
With Saka’s growing influence and the season still underway, many are now wondering: Could this be the year an Arsenal player finally takes home the game’s biggest individual honor?
Raphinha’s candid remarks may say it all — even top players are starting to see Saka as a frontrunner.
