Barcelona sporting director Deco has publicly reacted on Instagram to the exclusion of Raphinha and Pedri from the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or, signaling clear disagreement with the selections.
The move turns a controversial nomination list into a wider story about recognition, voting criteria and the relationship between top clubs and the award's organisers.
Why Are Raphinha And Pedri Missing From The Ballon d'Or 2026 Shortlist?
France Football, in collaboration with UEFA, has announced the 30 nominees for the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or, with the ceremony set for 26 October in London.
Barcelona has three players on the shortlist: Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí and Ferran Torres. Raphinha, Pedri and Dani Olmo are among the notable absentees, with none of the three making the 30-man list.
Raphinha finished fifth in last year’s Ballon d’Or voting, making his omission from the 2026 shortlist one of the notable talking points around this year’s nominations. Pedri finished 11th last year and was also left out despite helping Spain win the World Cup.
Both absences have drawn criticism in the Spanish media, with some outlets describing the omissions as “inexplicable”.
How Has Barcelona Reacted To The Raphinha And Pedri Omission
Deco has used his Instagram story to react to the exclusion of Raphinha and Pedri from the Ballon d'Or nominations. Deco used emojis in his Instagram story to express his reaction to the omissions.
The post referenced the Ballon d’Or nominations, but did not include a written statement from the Barcelona sporting director.
Deco’s Instagram reaction has added to the criticism surrounding Raphinha and Pedri’s omission from the Ballon d’Or shortlist. Several reports have described Barcelona as surprised by the decision, while Deco’s post has been cited as a sign of his frustration with the selections.
What This Mean For The Ballon d'Or Debate And Barcelona
Deco’s reaction is likely to keep attention on Raphinha and Pedri’s omissions, particularly given their finishes in last year’s voting. France Football and UEFA may face requests to clarify their criteria.
Particularly around the weight given to league performance, continental success, and international trophies.
The episode also underlines how social media reactions from senior officials can shape the news cycle as much as formal statements, with Deco’s Instagram post driving coverage across fan channels and news outlets.
As the ceremony approaches, the focus will shift from the initial shock to whether the voting outcome validates or challenges the view that Raphinha and Pedri were unfairly excluded.
