The Brazilian forward has transformed into a versatile all-round player, excelling not only on the right wing but also in midfield and other attacking roles. His clutch performances and 25 goals across all competitions—his best scoring season to date—have been pivotal in keeping Barcelona in contention for La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey.
Raphinha’s impact has not gone unnoticed. “He is underrated,” Osasuna coach Vicente Moreno said on Friday ahead of his team’s match against the league leaders. “If you consider his influence in attack and defense, his work for the team, and his individual quality, he is one of the best in the world. We are talking about an elite player.”
The 28-year-old has delivered some of Barcelona’s most crucial goals this season. His stunning strike from distance secured a 1-0 victory for 10-man Barcelona against Benfica in the Champions League round of 16 this week. Earlier in the group stage, Raphinha scored twice, including a last-gasp solo effort, to complete a dramatic 5-4 comeback win over the Portuguese side. He also notched a hat-trick against Bayern Munich and scored three goals in two dominant performances against Real Madrid.
Raphinha’s efficiency is remarkable. In La Liga, he has scored 13 goals from just 34 shots, compared to Kylian Mbappé’s 17 goals from 57 shots and Lewandowski’s league-leading 21 goals from 38 shots. His contributions have been instrumental in Barcelona’s narrow lead atop La Liga, where they sit one point ahead of Atletico Madrid and three points clear of Real Madrid.
Ahead of a critical stretch of matches, including the second leg against Benfica and a league clash with Atletico, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick hinted at rotating his squad. “We will make changes to keep the team fresh,” Flick said on Friday, without specifying which players would be rested.
Osasuna’s Threat: Ante Budimir
Barcelona’s next challenge comes against Osasuna on Saturday, where they will face another prolific scorer in Ante Budimir. The Croatian striker has netted 14 goals from just 23 shots this season, including two in Osasuna’s 4-2 victory over Barcelona in September—their first loss of the campaign. Budimir recently became Osasuna’s all-time top scorer in La Liga, with 58 career league goals.
Real Madrid: Bellingham Returns
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will welcome back Jude Bellingham for their match against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. The England midfielder missed three of the last four games due to suspension. Atletico Madrid, trailing Barcelona by one point, will face Getafe on Sunday as they prepare for their Champions League second leg against Inter Milan, needing to overturn a 2-1 deficit to advance.