Flick Labels FIFA Best XI a Farce After Raphinha Exclusion

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick voiced intense frustration regarding Raphinha's absence from FIFA's annual team selection, describing the 'The Best Men's XI' as a farce on Saturday.

The Brazilian winger proved vital on the left flank for the Catalan side during their domestic treble triumph last term.

Nevertheless the 29 year old failed to secure a spot in the ideal lineup, which was determined by votes from national team managers, skippers, media representatives, and supporters, with selections going to talents such as Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham instead.

"This FIFA Best XI selection is a farce, truly a farce," Flick stated during a press briefing following the ceremony from earlier in the week.

"Seeing no Raphinha included is simply incredible."

Barcelona fell to Inter Milan in the Champions League semi finals, where Raphinha tied for the leading goal tally with 13 strikes and topped the assist chart with seven.

Flick pointed out that Raphinha recorded the highest number of goal involvements in the Champions League.

"Consider the games he featured in, the goals he netted, the assists he delivered, it is incredible. Moreover his impact on the squad. This feels unjust to him," the German manager went on.

"To me it is a farce, I struggle to accept his exclusion from the best XI since his performances this season warranted it, it is incredible."

Raphinha's comeback from injury has aided Barcelona in regaining momentum in recent fixtures following an unsteady opening to the season.

The title holders sit at the summit of La Liga and travel to Villarreal on Sunday, aiming to maintain their advantage as second placed Real Madrid entertain Sevilla on Saturday.

Barca must cope without pivotal creator Pedri Gonzalez, according to Flick. 

"He is unavailable, I am displeased by this yet it comes with the territory of the game," the manager remarked.

"He is sidelined but could be fit for the upcoming fixture versus Espanyol on January 3.

"It involved a hamstring concern and we are proceeding carefully, the danger is excessive. He might feature yet the potential setback outweighs it, and a recurrence would sideline him for two months."