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Raphinha is proving to be a key participant for Barcelona within the Champions League this season, exhibiting no scarcity of motivation on the European stage.
His performances have been nothing in need of excellent, and it’s no shock that his identify is being talked about in discussions for particular person awards such because the Ballon d’Or.
The Brazilian winger has been delivering constantly, making a robust case for himself among the many greatest performers within the competitors.
Targets galore
After scoring twice in opposition to Benfica within the second leg of the Spherical of 16, Raphinha has established himself as the present high scorer within the Champions League.
With 11 objectives and 5 assists to his identify, he sits on the high of the scoring charts. He’s carefully adopted by Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy, who has 10 objectives, whereas Robert Lewandowski is simply behind with 9.
Raphinha’s general contributions throughout all competitions this season are equally spectacular, with a complete of 27 objectives and 19 assists.
Nevertheless, his affect goes past simply discovering the again of the web. Raphinha has additionally been instrumental in creating alternatives for his teammates.
Raphinha has been concerned in 16 objectives in UCL for Barcelona this season. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Photos)
Within the Champions League alone, he has performed 22 matches for Barcelona, scoring 14 objectives and offering 11 assists.
This implies he has been immediately concerned in practically half of the group’s whole objectives within the competitors, underlining his significance to the squad.
Nearing the greats
Benfica, particularly, has struggled to comprise Raphinha, as he has already scored 5 objectives in opposition to them this season. To place that into perspective, Mohamed Salah managed three objectives throughout your entire 2024/25 Champions League marketing campaign.
Along with his newest brace, Raphinha has entered an elite group of Barcelona gamers who’ve scored probably the most objectives in a single European season.
He now shares a spot within the high three alongside Lionel Messi, who scored 15 in a season, and Rivaldo, who netted 11.
Moreover, he has equalled Ronaldo Nazario’s tally of 47 objectives in Barcelona’s historical past and is only one aim away from matching David Villa’s whole of 48.
Beneath Hansi Flick, Raphinha has developed right into a participant able to delivering when it issues most.
Flick has been capable of convey out the perfect within the Brazilian, who is decided to revive Barcelona’s standing as a dominant power in Europe.
His performances haven’t solely stored the group aggressive however have additionally reignited hopes of a deep Champions League run this season.
