SEVILLA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 19: Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates 1-3 with Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Sevilla v FC Barcelona at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on September 19, 2026 in Sevilla Spain (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images) Getty ImagesSevilla boss Luis García says “it’s a joke” that Barcelona captain Raphinha is not among the nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or award.
Raphinha is in simply dazzling form for Barcelona and bagged a hat-trick against Sevilla to take his tally for the season to 14 in all competitions already.
The Sevilla boss was asked about Raphinha after the game and made his thoughts crystal clear.
“It’s a joke that he’s not even nominated for the Ballon d’Or,” he told reporters.
“Barcelona are playing at the top level, although what interests me is Sevilla,” he added.
Gill Clark is the site manager of Barca Blaugranes and joined in 2017. She has worked in sports media as a writer and editor for the best part of two decades and has been in love with the beautiful game for as long as she can remember.
SEVILLA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 19: Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates 1-3 with Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Sevilla v FC Barcelona at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on September 19, 2026 in Sevilla Spain (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images) Getty Images
Sevilla boss Luis García says “it’s a joke” that Barcelona captain Raphinha is not among the nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or award.
Raphinha is in simply dazzling form for Barcelona and bagged a hat-trick against Sevilla to take his tally for the season to 14 in all competitions already.
The Sevilla boss was asked about Raphinha after the game and made his thoughts crystal clear.
“It’s a joke that he’s not even nominated for the Ballon d’Or,” he told reporters. “He is a match winner, that’s why I don’t believe in these prizes. He does everything.”
Luis Garcia also praised Barcelona for their performance after they maintained their perfect start to the season.
“Barcelona are playing at the top level, although what interests me is Sevilla,” he added. “Barça had to be at their best to beat us today. I am proud of the lads.”
Barcelona will now take a break from domestic action due to the international break, while Raphinha will link up with the Brazil squad for friendlies against Australia and India.
