Sevilla Boss Luis Garcia Slams Ballon d'Or Snub for Barcelona's Raphinha After Stunning Hat-Trick

After Barcelona's 3-1 win over Sevilla on Saturday, the visiting star Raphinha scored an incredible hat-trick, raising his season tally to 14 goals in all competitions. Yet, despite this brilliance, he was not nominated for the Ballon d'Or, a decision that Sevilla's manager Luis Garcia criticized sharply.

Garcia Questions the Voting Decisions

In the post-match press conference at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, Garcia expressed genuine disbelief over the omission. He could not understand how voters ignored such consistent, decisive performances from a player who frequently changes the outcome of important matches. The Sevilla coach’s comments quickly became a central talking point.

"It’s a joke that he’s not even nominated for the Ballon d’Or. He is a match winner, that’s why I don’t believe in these prizes. He does everything," Garcia said bluntly.

Praise Amid Defeat

Though Sevilla lost at home, Garcia made sure to commend the visiting forward who had troubled his defense throughout the night. He also highlighted his own team’s effort, mentioning that Sevilla initially took the lead through Youssouf Fofana in the 19th minute. The Spanish coach acknowledged the challenge of facing a top-level Barcelona side but showed pride in how his players performed.

• Match Result: Sevilla 1 - 3 Barcelona
• Barcelona Goal Scorers: Raphinha (hat-trick)
• Sevilla Goal Scorer: Youssouf Fofana (19')
• Raphinha's Season Goals: 14 in all competitions

Snub Sparks Debate

The absence of both Raphinha and teammate Pedri from the Ballon d'Or shortlist has caused widespread discussion. The Brazilian forward’s frequent match-winning displays make his exclusion especially controversial. Garcia’s remarks added fuel to the debate, challenging the credibility of modern individual awards.

Looking Ahead

With a break in domestic fixtures, Sevilla gets time to regroup as they aim for a top-four LaLiga finish. Meanwhile, Raphinha will join the Brazil national team for friendlies against Australia and India. Barcelona will be eager to have their talisman back in full form to maintain their perfect domestic record.

• Upcoming LaLiga Match: Barcelona vs Getafe, 10 Oct 2026, 19:30