Raphinha: Barcelona’s Secret Weapon Or Just Overhyped?

Barcelona’s upcoming match against Benfica is crucial, and to secure a victory, they’ll need Raphinha to be at his best.

This season, the Brazilian winger has emerged as a pivotal figure for the Blaugrana, demonstrating a level of influence that surpasses even established stars.

From Promising Talent to Key Player

In his first seasons at Barcelona, Raphinha displayed flashes of brilliance, contributing 14 goal contributions (7 goals, 7 assists) in his first La Liga campaign and 15 (6 goals, 9 assists) in the second.

However, he wasn’t always a guaranteed starter, appearing in only 42 of a possible 76 games. Under Xavi Hernandez, his importance seemed limited.

But everything changed with the arrival of Hansi Flick. The German manager recognized Raphinha’s potential and entrusted him with a more significant role.

Since then, the transformation has been remarkable. In 39 games under Flick, Raphinha has exploded, scoring 25 goals and providing 16 assists across all competitions.

More Than Just Goals

While Robert Lewandowski’s goal-scoring prowess is undeniable (33 goals this season), Raphinha’s overall contribution to the team is arguably more profound.

He impacts the game in multiple ways, functioning effectively as both a winger and a number 10.

Despite a decent pass success rate of 78%, statistics reveal the extent of his influence in crucial matches. Raphinha’s relentless work rate and multifaceted skill set make him the go-to guy in many situations.

Flick seems to have brought the best out of the Brazilian and Barcelona fans have no doubt enjoyed the ride during 2024-25 so far.

“When his arrival was made official, he called me and told me that he was one of the players he counted on, without knowing me or having seen me train,” Raphinha told France Football.

“This was very important in my decision to stay. I knew it would be important for the team.”

Statistical Dominance

Raphinha’s statistics speak volumes about his importance to the team:

His 100 shots in all competitions lead the team, surpassing Lewandowski (88), Lamine Yamal (84), and Dani Olmo (33). He tops the charts in successful flick-ons and pull-back passes, showing his creativity and vision.

Raphinha has been a dominant force in the UCL this season. In 9 games, he’s scored 9 goals and provided 4 assists.

He’s also created an impressive 29 chances, making him a key player in his team’s success.

Among attacking players, only Lamine Yamal and Pedri have a marginally better duel success percentage than his 53.9%. Raphinha’s 45 tackles from an advanced forward position show his commitment to defensive duties, only trailing defender Jules Kounde (62), defensive midfielder Marc Casado (80), and Pedri (81).

Key Moments of the Season

Hat-trick vs. Bayern Munich

In the UEFA Champions League group stage, Raphinha showed his brilliance by scoring a hat-trick in Barcelona’s dominant 4-1 victory against Bayern Munich, solidifying his reputation as a player for the big occasions.

Game-winning Goal vs. Benfica

In the Champions League Round of 16, Raphinha secured Barcelona’s win, scoring the decisive goal despite the team playing with 10 men from the 22nd minute.

Combination and Leadership

Raphinha’s commitment is evident in his playing time. Only Kounde (3,275 minutes) has played more than his 3,202 minutes this season. With 39 club games already under his belt, and at least 12 more league games, a Copa del Rey match (potentially two), and a Champions League fixture (with a possibility of up to six), he’s on track to surpass his previous appearance records.

Furthermore, Hansi Flick entrusted Raphinha with the captain’s armband in the absence of key players like Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Frenkie de Jong, and Ronald Araujo.

He has embraced this responsibility, leading by example and fostering a positive atmosphere within the team.