Leeds United fans all fume as Raphinha finishes fifth in Ballon d’Or voting, it’s a ‘disgrace’

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Leeds United hero Raphinha failed to achieve a podium finish in the Ballon d’Or voting on Monday night, with the Barcelona ace finishing fifth.

Raphinha was a star at Leeds United for two seasons and it could certainly be argued that Raphinha was ‘out of the ordinary’ for Leeds in his time in West Yorkshire.

The years at Barcelona since have seen him become a star on the world stage for the European giants and for Brazil. It’s why Jayden Bogle and Joel Piroe’s Raphinha verdict is that he is one of the best players in the world now.

He’s been so impressive that Thierry Henry believed Raphinha would win the Ballon d’Or last night for last season, but Raphinha finished fifth in the Ballon d’Or at the awards ceremony behind Mohamed Salah, Vitinha, Lamine Yamal, and Ousmane Dembele.

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Leeds United supporters fume at Raphinha’s Ballon d’Or placing

Leeds icon Raphinha was predicted to finish fifth by experts, but many still feel as though he could have been so much more than that.

Raphinha’s Barcelona teammate Yamal scored and assisted fewer goals last term than Raphinha. However, at the very least, Raphinha got to meet his hero Ronaldinho last night. 

Now, Leeds fans have taken to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to react to the announcement that he failed to finish in a podium position or even in first instead of Dembele overall, with one stating: “Absolutely criminal that Raphinha didn’t win Ballon D’or.”

Another added: “Can’t believe Raphinha didn’t win that His time will come #BallonDor #LUFC”

A further Leeds reaction read: “How a player with the most goals and assist last season, while winning a domestic treble, comes 5th is a crazy decision.”

One Leeds fan simply said: “Raphinha at 5th is a disgrace.”

The Leeds hero is one of the best players to ever wear the white shirt, and particularly when looking over the last 20 years of various Leeds squads as well.

• READ MORE: Leeds United player rated best in the Premier League over the weekend, even above Harry Wilson

What Raphinha has said about Marcelo Bielsa

Raphinha has a lot to thank Marcelo Bielsa for during his time at Leeds and with developing into the player he became after his arrival from Stade Rennais.

Bielsa and Raphinha have reunited with Uruguay and Brazil. It’s also been made clear that Raphinha still loves Leeds and continues to commemorate them in so many ways despite joining Barcelona.

On Bielsa, Raphinha said: “He helped me a lot from the first moment I arrived at Leeds. Always demands more, the best.

“He helped me get into the national team and Barca. If it wasn’t for his guidance I probably wouldn’t be here. He was an important person for me and for my career.”