Sevilla Boss Luis Garcia Slams Ballon d'Or Snub for Barcelona's Raphinha After Hat-Trick
Luis Garcia, the Sevilla coach, did not hold back his frustration after watching Barcelona's Raphinha score an impressive hat-trick on Saturday. The Brazilian forward’s performance helped secure a 3-1 win at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium, boosting his goal tally to 14 across all competitions this season.
Garcia Questions the Ballon d'Or Voting
Following the match, Garcia expressed disbelief that Raphinha was left off the Ballon d'Or shortlist. He found it baffling that voters ignored such a decisive player who consistently influences key matches at the highest level. This blunt reaction became a major talking point after the game.
Praise for the Visiting Star
Despite Sevilla’s loss, Garcia acknowledged Raphinha’s outstanding impact on the pitch, admitting the forward had troubled his defense all night. The manager also shared his skepticism about the value of individual awards, saying:
"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 Surrounding the Ballon d'Or Snub
The exclusion of both Raphinha and teammate Pedri from the list ahead of the upcoming ceremony in London sparked heated discussions. Raphinha’s consistent match-winning contributions stand out, even as Barcelona lead LaLiga. Garcia also praised his own team’s effort, noting Sevilla took the early advantage with a goal by Youssouf Fofana in the 19th minute.
Reflecting on the high level of play, Garcia added:
"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 league action gives Sevilla a chance to regroup as they aim for a top-four finish. Meanwhile, Raphinha will join Brazil for international friendlies against Australia and India. Barcelona will rely heavily on their star forward returning fit to maintain their perfect domestic winning streak.
- Date: 10 Oct 2026
- Match: Sevilla 1 - 3 Barcelona
- Venue: Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan
- Raphinha's Goals: Hat-trick (3 goals)
- Sevilla Goal Scorer: Youssouf Fofana (19th minute)
- Raphinha's Season Total: 14 goals in all competitions
