Raphinha’s journey at FC Barcelona took an unexpected twist, a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. He swiftly transitioned from being the favored candidate to replace Dembélé in the starting lineup to finding himself sidelined due to a red card incident. During his absence, Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal seized the opportunity to demand more attention on the field.
However, Raphinha’s reaction to this challenging situation was nothing short of remarkable. When it came to his performance on the pitch, he made a significant impact. He featured in two of Barça’s four games, where he notched two goals and provided two crucial assists. His presence became a valuable asset, especially when facing formidable defenses.
READ MORE
++ Santos will replace the stadium where Pelé played for a modern arena
++ Corinthians fires coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo
++ Joelinton’s great game takes Newcastle past Manchester City in the Carabao Cup
What sets Raphinha apart is his ability to defy the conventional wisdom that suggests confidence is hard to regain once lost. In an astonishingly short amount of time, he has reaffirmed his importance to the team and has shown unwavering determination to succeed at the iconic Camp Nou. Even as Xavi cautioned about the intense internal competition, Raphinha remains undaunted.
Raphinha’s records so far
And in the 85th minute…
Raphinha completed the comeback!#LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/hL5AXKRqmP
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 3, 2023
Delving into the statistics from Opta further underscores Raphinha’s profound influence. He stands as the player with the highest number of goals and assists in a single game in 2023 across the top five European leagues. This remarkable feat surpasses even Madrid’s Vinicius, who achieved it on five occasions. In Palma, Raphinha joined an elite club, becoming the second Barça player to reach double-digit goals scored in the calendar year 2023, a position second only to the prolific Robert Lewandowski with 21 goals. Additionally, he holds the title of LaLiga’s top scorer from outside the penalty area in the same time frame, with an impressive tally of four goals.
One defining moment that showcases Raphinha’s character and determination occurred during the Mallorca match, where he played a pivotal role in securing a crucial point for his team. In that game, he not only found the back of the net but also provided a critical assist. His dribbling skills were on full display, as he successfully completed three dribbles.
Raphinha was an active participant in the game, making 80 interventions and executing 49 passes with an impressive 80% success rate. He also created three key opportunities and missed another, underlining his offensive prowess. On the physical front, he engaged in eight duels and provoked four fouls from the opposition. Admittedly, there were some instances of loss and risk-taking in his decision-making, resulting in 24 possessions conceded. Nevertheless, his commitment and dedication to giving his all on the field were unquestionable.
