The Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys enjoyed a great second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 between FC Barcelona, who beat Sporting CP 3-1 to reach the quarter-finals 4-1 on aggregate. Lille or Borussia Dortmund will be the Azulgranas’ opponents in the quarter-finals. One of the clear protagonists of the match was Raphinha.
A Raphinha who, with a brace, showed his great form, but also that he has a ‘special touch’ with Benfica, for whom he has scored 5 goals in three games: a brace in the first round (4-5), the winning goal in the first leg of the round of 16 (0-1) and yesterday’s brace.
With yesterday’s goals, the Brazilian becomes the top scorer in the Champions League with 11 goals, one ahead of Borussia Dortmund’s Guirassy and two ahead of Lewandowski. In addition, with his five assists, the former Leeds United player has contributed to 16 goals, something that no other participant in the tournament can say.
This is, without doubt, Raphinha’s best season as a Barcelona player. He has 27 goals and 18 assists and his involvement and influence in the team is huge. The player seems to have experienced a rebirth under Hansi Flick and, after being on the verge of leaving every summer, there is already talk in the club’s offices of a possible contract renewal. With these figures, and if he continues in this vein, he will be a clear candidate for the Ballon d’Or this season.
He has participated in 43 of the 128 goals that Barça has scored this season. And with Barça he has scored 47 goals, like Ronaldo Nazario. He had already left behind other stars who have played for Barça, such as Romario, but now he is about to catch up with a historic player like the current president of Real Valladolid.
Gavi: “Raphinha is a candidate to win the Ballon d’Or”
After beating Benfica, Barça footballer Gavi confessed to the cameras that his teammate Raphinha is a “candidate to win the Ballon d’Or”. “He’s a candidate for the Ballon d’Or, but the important thing is that he keeps it up. There are many games left and hopefully he can win as many titles as possible,” said the Spain international in the mixed zone.
In Brazil they are clear: “Raphinha is a candidate for the Ballon d’Or”
Raphinha was called up with Brazil to play the qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina, scheduled for March 21 and 26, and received praise from coach Dorival Júnior. A coach who was asked about the player and was adamant: “Raphinha was highly questioned in the Copa América. Today he is one of the candidates for the Ballon d’Or. He has played with us as a full-back, as a striker on the right and left wing, as a second striker or very close to Igor Jesus. He adapts very well to any role. And he has also shown that at Barcelona, in any situation, frequently changing position,” he said.