Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has launched a scathing attack on the FIFA Best XI selection, describing the omission of Brazilian winger Raphinha as “a joke” and “completely unbelievable.”
Speaking in an interview with FRANCE24, Flick did not hide his frustration, insisting that Raphinha’s performances throughout the season more than justified a place among the world’s best players. According to the German coach, the decision reflects a lack of fairness in how individual contributions are assessed.
“This FIFA Best XI players is a joke, really a joke,” Flick said. “When I see there is no Raphinha in the side, it’s unbelievable.” He pointed to the winger’s consistency, productivity, and overall influence as clear evidence that he deserved recognition.
Flick highlighted Raphinha’s numbers, stressing that goals and assists alone should have made his inclusion automatic. He added that beyond statistics, the Brazilian’s impact on matches and his importance to the team were impossible to ignore.
“When you see the matches he played, how many goals he scored, assists he has, it’s unbelievable,” Flick continued. “More, it’s the influence he had on the team. This is really not fair to him.”
The Barcelona coach reiterated his disbelief, saying he struggled to understand how a player with such a strong season could be overlooked. For Flick, the omission sends the wrong message to players who consistently perform at a high level.
“For me, it’s a joke, I cannot believe he’s not in the best XI because after this season, he deserved it,” he said, again underlining his frustration with the selection process.
Raphinha’s exclusion has sparked debate among fans and pundits, with many echoing Flick’s sentiments. As discussions continue, the controversy adds fresh scrutiny to FIFA’s selection criteria and raises questions about how individual excellence is rewarded at the highest level.
