Barcelona sporting director Deco has responded to Raphinha’s omission from the 30-player shortlist for the Ballon d’Or by posting a series of laughing emojis under a report about the decision.
The Barcelona winger was not included among the candidates for football’s most prestigious individual award. The news was shared by respected journalist Fabrizio Romano, whose publication prompted a reaction from Deco.
Rather than write a comment, Deco replied solely with several emojis expressing loud laughter. His response appeared to underline his disbelief at Raphinha’s absence from the shortlist.
The decision has already attracted attention from journalists and supporters. Reporters at the well-known football website Goal were previously surprised that Raphinha had not been included, while fans also questioned the decision on social media.
Raphinha had made clear last year that he believed he deserved to win the Ballon d’Or. The Brazil international ultimately finished fifth in the voting.
His position among the leading candidates at that time had placed him firmly in contention for the award, making his omission from this year’s top 30 particularly notable. However, the shortlist does not include him, despite the strong reaction from Barcelona’s sporting director and those who had expected to see his name among the nominees.
The nominees for the Ballon d’Or have now been announced, with Lionel Messi included on the list. Raphinha’s absence has therefore become one of the most discussed aspects of the announcement, alongside the presence of the Argentina captain.
Deco’s brief social-media reaction contrasted with the wider debate surrounding the shortlist. With no written explanation accompanying his emojis, the Barcelona official did not state directly why he believed Raphinha should have been nominated. His response nevertheless conveyed his reaction to the decision without the need for further comment.
For Raphinha, the omission means he will not be competing for the Ballon d’Or in this edition of the award. Last year, when he finished fifth, he had openly argued that his performances merited a higher standing and believed he had a case to win.
The shortlist announcement has since prompted discussion among Barcelona supporters, football journalists and social-media users. Goal’s journalists and fans were among those surprised by the winger’s exclusion, while Deco’s laughing emojis added another high-profile reaction to the controversy.
The Ballon d’Or nominees list includes Messi, but Raphinha’s name is absent from the 30-player selection. That omission, rather than any statement from the Barcelona winger himself, has been the focus of the early reaction to the announcement.