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

Sevilla boss Luis Garcia did not hold back after his team’s loss on Saturday, calling the exclusion of Barcelona star Raphinha from the Ballon d’Or shortlist an outright joke. The Brazilian forward impressed once again by scoring a brilliant hat-trick, leading Barca to a 3-1 victory at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium. This performance brought his total goals for the season across all competitions to 14.

Garcia Questions Voters' Judgment

The Sevilla coach expressed genuine disbelief during the post-match press conference, baffled that Raphinha was ignored for the world’s top individual football award. He questioned how such consistent, match-defining displays from a key player could be overlooked. His frank comments quickly became the focal point of media attention following the intense LaLiga clash.

Respect for Opponent’s Talents

Despite the defeat, Garcia openly praised Raphinha’s impact throughout the game. The Spaniard highlighted that leaving out the Blaugrana captain only strengthened his doubts about the legitimacy of current football accolades. He said bluntly, "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."

Debate Sparks Over Key Omissions

The absence of both Raphinha and teammate Pedri from the Ballon d’Or list has stirred strong debate, especially given Raphinha’s habit of producing decisive moments. While recognizing the high level of the league leaders, Garcia took pride in his own squad who opened the scoring with Youssouf Fofana netting after 19 minutes.

  • Garcia on Barcelona and 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 Reset

The pause in LaLiga action gives Sevilla a chance to regroup as they continue their push for a top-four finish. Meanwhile, Raphinha will join Brazil for upcoming friendlies against Australia and India. Barcelona will hope their influential captain returns fully fit to maintain their perfect domestic run.

  • Match Details: Sevilla 1 - 3 Barcelona
  • Raphinha’s Season Goals: 14 (all competitions)
  • Next LaLiga Fixture for Barcelona: 10 Oct 2026, vs Getafe at 19:30

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