Raphinha shines bright: The road to Ballon d'Or glory

A footballer's career is often a rollercoaster, and Raphinha is a prime example. Once considered surplus to requirements, he has now become undroppable in the space of a single season.

One of the standout moments came in the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Borussia Dortmund, where he became both the competition's top scorer (12) and leading assist provider (7). It was a performance that Messi had only matched in the club's history.

After ending last season with question marks over his inconsistency—scoring 10 goals and providing 11 assists in 37 matches—Raphinha has silenced all critics and is now operating at Ballon d'Or level.

Doubts over his adaptation, the price tag, questions over his output, and suggestions that he should be sold to ease financial strain - all these murmurs in Barcelona led to a failed move for Nico Williams last summer.

That moment proved to be a turning point for Raphinha, who responded with a transformation of extraordinary magnitude.

His unprecedented breakout season

Raphinha, whose previous bests were 18 goals (for Vitoria de Guimaraes in 2017/18) and 12 assists (with Barcelona in 2022/23), has shattered both records this season.

So far, he has scored 30 goals and delivered 21 assists in 49 matches across all competitions—a phenomenal 51 goal involvements. Including his contributions with Brazil, those numbers rise to 34 goals and 22 assists, amounting to 56 direct involvements.

He started the season quietly, making no real impact in the first two games against Valencia and Athletic Club. But from the third match onwards, the No.11 began to shine, registering an assist against Rayo Vallecano—a taste of what was to come. His home display against Valladolid was a masterclass - a stunning hat-trick and an assist.

Flick's confidence in Raphinha pays off

Match after match, Raphinha made the difference—either scoring himself or laying it on for a teammate. His list of standout displays is long - Villarreal (two goals), Young Boys (one goal, one assist), Alaves (two assists), Sevilla (one assist), Bayern (three goals), Real Madrid (three goals, two assists across two matches), Espanyol (one goal), Red Star Belgrade (one goal, one assist), Celta (three goals, one assist across two matches), Las Palmas (one goal, one assist across two matches), Mallorca (two goals), Borussia Dortmund (two goals, two assists across three matches), Betis (one goal), Benfica (five goals, one assist across two matches), Valencia (one goal, two assists across two matches), Atalanta (two assists), Sevilla again (one goal), and Atletico Madrid (three assists across two matches).

Flick achieved what few expected—convincing a player on the verge of leaving to stay. The German manager pleaded with him to remain, placing full trust in his talent. And that faith has paid off.

Raphinha has delivered, and Barcelona find themselves where they are largely thanks to him: in the Copa del Rey final, leading La Liga, through to the Champions League semi-finals, and winners of the Spanish Super Cup.

His attacking trident with Lewandowski (40 goals, three assists) and Lamine Yamal (14 goals, 18 assists) has been crucial—but it's Raphinha who has had the biggest impact on the team's overall play. He has earned the right to dream of the Ballon d'Or.

Head-to-head with Mohamed Salah

The Brazilian is enjoying a golden run and is a serious candidate for football's most prestigious individual award. The Ballon d'Or is not for just anyone—it is reserved for the truly elite.

One of his main rivals is Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, another standout performer this season. The Egyptian has scored 32 goals and provided 23 assists in 47 matches - rising to 34 goals and 24 assists, including his games for Egypt - stats that closely mirror Raphinha's.

The Ballon d'Or is the ultimate dream for any player, though Raphinha is not obsessed with it. Whatever happens between now and the end of the campaign, the Porto Alegre native can proudly claim he is enjoying the finest season of his career—silencing his critics on the pitch, where it matters most.