Sevilla Coach Baffled by Rafinha's Ballon d'Or Snub

Luis García Plaza expressed bewilderment at Rafinha’s omission from the 2024 Ballon d’Or shortlist, a decision he publicly criticized following his team’s 1-3 loss to Barcelona.

Rafinha scored a hat-trick at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, his second in as many La Liga matches, to drag Barcelona to victory. France Football published its shortlist on 8 September; the Brazilian forward was left off it.

García also had words for his own side, insisting Sevilla had pushed Barcelona to their limit. "Barcelona are at an extraordinary level right now, but what concerns me most is Sevilla: to beat us, Barça had to show their best version," he said, according to AS.

Rafinha has now scored 14 goals and added three assists in eight matches this season, a return the reports likened to Messi or Ronaldo at their peak. The 29-year-old has said himself that he believes his absence from the list was undeserved.