Here’s the thing about football: we spend so much time hyping players based on potential that we miss the ones who are actually delivering. Enter Raphinha, Barcelona’s Brazilian maestro, the guy who’s been sneaking under everyone’s radar while casually rewriting the narrative of what a modern winger can be.
Yeah, I said it. Forget the Vinicius Juniors and the Kylian Mbappés of the world for a moment. If you’re not talking about Raphinha when you’re discussing the next Ballon d’Or winner, you’re not paying attention.A One-Man Revolution 🇧🇷⚽️
Let’s start with the facts. Raphinha is in the form of his life. After dismantling Benfica in the penultimate round of the Champions League group stage, even his harshest critics have turned into his loudest cheerleaders. That match-winning sprint at the Estádio da Luz? It was like watching a Lamborghini outrun a fleet of mopeds. He’s not just fast—he’s lethal.
The stats are staggering: 23 goals and 11 assists in 31 matches. That’s 34 goal contributions, meaning this man is involved in 35% of Barcelona’s goals. It’s not a fluke. It’s not luck. It’s pure, unadulterated brilliance.
Better Than Lamine Yamal, Better Than Anyone 🇧🇷>🇪🇸
Hansi Flick’s appointment as Barcelona manager is the best thing that’s ever happened to Raphinha. While Flick was supposed to rejuvenate Barça’s European ambitions, he ended up turning Raphinha into the team’s linchpin. Whether it’s as a left winger or a playmaker drifting between the lines, Flick has unlocked a version of Raphinha we didn’t know existed.
Remember when people thought Lamine Yamal was the next Messi? Cute story. But in this Barça side, it’s Raphinha who’s making the difference. He’s the guy with the stamina of a marathon runner, the skill of a street baller, and the work ethic of a kid trying to prove his doubters wrong.Numbers Don’t Lie: The Ballon d’Or Case 📊📊
If Vinicius had this numbers people will be given the best in the world shout but because it’s Raphinha we’re sleeping on him
— LY304 (@tazer230) January 28, 2025
Vini will tear ACL if he had this numbers by January tho pic.twitter.com/MO4GTRntpb
🇪🇸In La Liga, his average rating on SofaScore is an impressive 7.98, making him the highest-rated player in the entire league.
1. Raphinha: 7.98
2. Lamine Yamal: 7.73
3. Jude Bellingham: 7.68
🌏In the Champions League, his average rating on Sofascore is an impressive 8.36, the highest of any player in the league.
1. Raphinha: 8.36
2. Malik Tillman: 8.18
3. Vinicius Junior: 8. 05
📊He leads the average rating of players in the top 5 European leagues too; according to sofascore, he has an impressive 8.36. This rating surpasses that of any individual player across all of the top 5 leagues in Europe.
1. Raphinha: 8.36
2. Omar Marmoush: 8.16
3. Mohammed Salah: 8. 01
For context, last year’s Ballon d’Or winner, Rodri, had an average league rating of 8.01 and a Champions League rating of 7.60. Compared to Raphinha’s numbers, Rodri looks like a decent supporting actor, not the star.
The Brazilian Comparison: Raphinha vs. Vinicius Jr🇧🇷🏆🇧🇷
It’s time we stop pretending that Vinicius Jr. is Brazil’s main guy and start acknowledging that Raphinha has taken the crown.
Why the Ballon d’Or Should Be His🇧🇷🏆
You want to keep ignoring him? Fine. But just remember that while you’re arguing about Mbappé vs. Haaland, Raphinha is out there winning games, smashing records, and putting together a Ballon d’Or campaign for the ages.
So stop overthinking it. Just give him the Ballon d’Or 🏆.
