Barcelona sporting director Deco has this week made public the collective disbelief at the club regarding the exclusion of Blaugrana pair Raphinha and Pedri from the Ballon d’Or shortlist.

The subject of the ‘Golden Ball’ has of course taken its place front and centre in the headlines in Catalunya’s capital across the week to date.

Upon the 30-man list of candidates for the 2026 accolade being unveiled by France Football, a trio of Barcelona stars, namely Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Pau Cubarsí, featured prominently.

It was those Blaugrana stars left out, though, which quickly sparked backlash. Despite his La Liga and World Cup double, Pedri did not do enough to earn a spot on the list of nominees.

Also omitted was Raphinha, one of the most explosive performers in all of Europe over the early weeks of the new term.

Speaking during an interview with RAC1 on Thursday, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of the club’s double Ballon d’Or snub was put to Barca chief Deco.

And the Portuguese did not hold back in his response, insisting:

“In my opinion, it’s a worldwide scandal that Pedri and Raphinha are out of the Ballon d’Or top 30! They absolutely deserved to be there.”