Raphinha’s Rise: From Criticism to Ballon d’Or Contender

Barcelona Star Enjoying Best Season of His Career

Brazil national team coach Dorival Junior has labeled Raphinha as a Ballon d’Or contender, marking an incredible turnaround for the Barcelona winger.

The 28-year-old is delivering his best-ever campaign, scoring his 25th goal of the season in Barcelona’s recent Champions League victory over Benfica. His overall stats are just as impressive, with 41 goal contributions in 40 appearances across all competitions—almost double his previous career high.

Dorival Junior: “Raphinha is a Ballon d’Or Candidate”

Speaking at Brazil’s squad announcement for the upcoming international break, Dorival Junior emphasized the dramatic improvement in Raphinha’s performances:

“Raphinha faced heavy criticism during the Copa America, and now he is a Ballon d’Or candidate.”

The winger played a key role in Brazil’s Copa America squad that suffered a disappointing quarter-final exit to Uruguay. At the same time, Barcelona considered selling him, with fans questioning his consistency.

Hansi Flick’s Impact: The Turning Point

Everything changed when Hansi Flick arrived in Catalonia. The German tactician saw potential in Raphinha, repositioning him on the left wing with more freedom to roam. The result? A huge spike in goals, assists, and overall influence on Barcelona’s attack.

La Liga Rivals Praise Raphinha’s Impact

The admiration for Raphinha isn’t limited to his national team coach. Ahead of Barcelona’s La Liga clash against Osasuna, their head coach Vicente Moreno also showered the Brazilian with praise:

“Raphinha is underrated. I see him as one of the best in the world, if not the best, with influence in both attack and defense.”

Can Raphinha Win the Ballon d’Or?

With his remarkable stats and growing influence, should Raphinha be seriously considered for the Ballon d’Or? Drop your thoughts in the comments!