How Raphina matched Messi and set his sights on Ronaldo

When Barcelona signed Raphinha from Leeds United in 2022, there were high hopes but also lingering doubts.

Could this Brazilian winger - so promising at Rennes and brilliant in flashes at a struggling Leeds - truly step into the spotlight at one of football’s grandest stages? Now, three years on, those questions have been emphatically answered.

In a season where Barcelona are pursuing a historic treble, Raphinha has not only risen to the occasion but cemented his place among the elite, with his performances sparking serious Ballon d’Or discussions.

His latest contribution came in Barcelona’s emphatic 4-0 Champions League quarter-final victory over Borussia Dortmund. Raphinha delivered a goal and two assists, elevating his goal involvement tally in this season’s competition to 19—matching Lionel Messi’s record for a single Champions League campaign with the club, set in the 2011-12 season.

His composed opener in the 25th minute set the tone, while his perfectly weighted assists for Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal highlighted his vision and unselfishness.

With 28 goals and 22 assists across all competitions, Raphinha is enjoying the best season of his career. His Champions League form has been nothing short of historic.

Leading the competition with 12 goals, he has also created 34 chances - the second-most in the tournament - proving that he is as much a creator as he is a finisher.

Should Raphinha register three more goal involvements, he would surpass Cristiano Ronaldo’s single-season record of 21 in the Champions League, achieved during Real Madrid’s 2013-14 triumph.

His early years were spent away from the spotlight, impressing at Vitória Guimarães and then Sporting CP before joining Rennes. It was there that his dynamic displays caught the eye, prompting a move to Leeds United.

At Elland Road, he became a standout performer in a team fighting relegation, displaying the flair and work ethic that would eventually convince Barcelona to invest £55 million to secure his services. His initial struggles at Camp Nou, particularly with competition from Ousmane Dembélé, led to questions about his ability to adapt. However, under the guidance of Hansi Flick, Raphinha has flourished.

Flick’s decision to grant him greater creative freedom has been pivotal, allowing Raphinha to combine his pace and technical skill with improved decision-making in the final third. The result has been a career-best campaign: 28 goals and 22 assists across all competitions.

In a footballing era no longer dominated by Messi and Ronaldo, the Ballon d’Or race is wide open. Raphinha has emerged as a leading contender, alongside Mohamed Salah and Dembélé. Barcelona’s success on all fronts - leading La Liga, one foot in the Champions League semi-finals, and advancing to the final of the Copa del Rey - has only strengthened his case.

Dembélé and PSG remain formidable rivals in the Ballon d’Or stakes, particularly after the French champions’ 3-1 victory over Aston Villa moved them closer to the Champions League semi-finals. A potential clash between Raphinha and Dembélé in the Champions League final on May 31 could not only decide European supremacy but also influence the destination of the prestigious individual award.

Whatever the outcome, one thing is clear: Raphinha is no longer a player with something to prove. The conversation has shifted from whether he belongs among the world’s best to how far his talent can take him.