Neymar says it’s a ‘joke’ that star finished below Mohamed Salah in Ballon d’Or rankings

Neymar has questioned this year’s Ballon d’Or rankings following Ousmane Dembele’s win, claiming it’s a ‘joke’ Raphinha finished below Mohamed Salah down in fifth.

Dembele – nominated for the first time – lifted the prestigious award at Tuesday evening’s glitzy ceremony in Paris, beating Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal to the prize after a magnificent 12 months with Paris Saint-Germain.

The 28-year-old forward played an integral role as PSG won four trophies across an historic campaign last term, culminating in the club’s thumping Champions League final triumph over Inter Milan.

Having also been named Ligue 1 Player of the Year and Champions League Player of the Season in recent months, Dembele fought back the tears as he thanked his mother during an emotional speech in the French capital.

No matter which player comes out on top on the night, the Ballon d’Or has always managed to divide opinion among fans, pundits and players, with Real Madrid boycotting the 2024 ceremony over Rodri’s victory just 12 months ago.

This year, Yamal’s father made his feelings known regarding Dembele’s win, insisting his son was ‘by far’ the best player on the planet and should have been handed the award.

Barcelona and Brazil icon Neymar, meanwhile, took to Instagram to blast Raphinha’s place in the final standings, suggesting his fellow countryman deserved greater credit after a stellar second season at the Camp Nou.

Responding to a post from @ofuiclear showing the ten top-ranked men’s players, Neymar replied, ‘Raphinha in 5th is too much of a joke,’ along with a crying laughing emoji.

Prior to Tuesday’s ceremony, Raphinha suggested both he and Yamal ‘deserved’ to get their hands on the Ballon d’Or award on the back of exceptional seasons with Barcelona.

‘In my opinion we both deserve it a lot, we’d be very happy that the Ballon d’Or goes to Barcelona,’ the former Leeds attacker said.

‘I know if I win, Lamine is going to be very happy, and if Lamine wins, I’m going to be very happy.

‘He deserves it a lot because of the season he put together, for the things he does on the pitch and the brilliance in his eyes.

‘But I don’t know anything, there’s rumours but I don’t know.’

After collecting the Ballon d’Or award from Ronaldinho, a teary Dembele made sure to praise his team-mates and family for the role they played in his success.

‘I didn’t want to cry, but as soon as I started talking about my family, about the people who have been there for me, it came up and I couldn’t hold it back,’ Dembele told the audience.

‘What I have just experienced is exceptional, I have no words for it, what happened with PSG.

‘I feel a bit of stress, it’s not easy to win this trophy, and to have it presented to me by Ronaldinho, a legend of football, is exceptional.

‘I want to thank PSG who came to get me in 2023. It’s an incredible family. The president Nasser [Al-Khelaifi] is like a father to me.

‘I also want to thank all the staff and the coach, who have been exceptional with me – he too is like a father – and all my teammates.

‘We have practically won everything together. You supported me in the good and the difficult times. This individual trophy is one the team has won collectively.’

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