Sevilla Coach Luis Garcia Calls Raphinha’s Ballon d’Or Snub a ‘Joke’ After Stunning Hat-Trick

Luis Garcia, the manager of Sevilla, did not hold back after his team’s 3-1 loss to Barcelona on Saturday. He described the exclusion of Raphinha from the Ballon d’Or nominations as a complete joke, following the Brazilian’s incredible hat-trick performance at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.

Garcia Questions the Criteria Behind the Snub

The atmosphere in the press room was thick with surprise as Garcia openly expressed disbelief that Raphinha, who scored a sublime treble to lead Barcelona to victory, was overlooked for the world’s most prestigious individual football award. The Sevilla boss challenged how voters could ignore such a decisive player, who consistently influences key matches with his outstanding form. His blunt comments quickly became the focal point after the intense LaLiga clash.

Respect for Raphinha Despite Defeat

Although Sevilla lost at home, Garcia was quick to praise the forward who troubled his defense all night. The Spanish coach emphasized that excluding the Blaugrana captain only strengthens his doubts about the legitimacy of these awards.

"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 told reporters during his post-match conference.

Snub Sparks Heated Debate

Raphinha’s absence, alongside teammate Pedri, from the shortlist for the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony in London has sparked widespread discussion. The Brazilian’s regular match-winning displays make his omission particularly puzzling. Garcia acknowledged Barcelona’s top-level play but took pride in his own squad’s effort, especially since Youssouf Fofana had given Sevilla an early lead after 19 minutes.

• Garcia on Barcelona vs Sevilla: "Barcelona are playing at the top level, although what interests me is Sevilla. Barca had to be at their best to beat us today. I am proud of the lads."

International Break Offers Time to Regroup

With domestic fixtures paused, Sevilla gains a chance to recover and prepare for their push toward a top-four finish. Meanwhile, Raphinha will join Brazil for upcoming friendlies against Australia and India. Barcelona will be eager to have their star forward return healthy to maintain their flawless record in LaLiga this season.