It is only March but Raphinha is already being touted as the favourite for the Ballon d’Or as the Brazilian continues to shine in his third season after leaving Leeds United.
The 28-year-old left Leeds United back in the summer of 2022 after keeping Jesse Marsch’s side in the Premier League by the skin of their teeth. Raphinha rejected Arsenal and Chelsea to join Barcelona.
The 31-time Brazil international was somewhat mediocre in his first two seasons, often rotated by Xavi but the appointment of Hansi Flick as manager has turned Raphinha into a genuine world-beater.
This season, Raphinha has even been captaining Barcelona due to Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s injury. The former Sporting Lisbon and Rennes star has a whopping 11 goals in 10 Champions League matches.
Raphinha reaches landmark after incredible Sunday comeback
On Sunday, Barcelona and Raphinha went to Atletico Madrid and were 2-0 down in the second half after Alexander Sorloth’s goal. Incredibly, Barcelona produced a remarkable comeback to secure a 4-2 win.
Raphinha got an assist on the night, taking his tally to 48 goals and assists in just 42 games – 27 goals, 21 assists. An incredible record, but also his 100th goal involvement since Leeds sold him to Barcelona.
Almost three years on from Andrea Radrizzani green-lighting his exit, Raphinha now has 93 goals and assists for Barcelona and a further seven more for his country. An absolutely remarkable record.
Raphinha’s form since Leeds United exit:
Team Games (Starts) Minutes Goals Assists Minutes per G+A
Barcelona 129 (101) 8316 47 46 89.4
Brazil 15 (14) 1135 5 2 162.1
Who are Raphinha’s rivals to win Ballon d’Or at the end of 2025
Harry Kane is closing on his first-ever league title with Bayern Munich after another season in which he looks set to surpass 40 goals. Ousmane Dembele is driving Paris Saint-Germain towards multiple trophies.
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But Raphinha is surely the favourite. Harry Gray claims Raphinha is the best in the world and after his most-recent display in the Champions League, Thierry Henry backed Raphinha to win the Ballon d’Or.
There is certainly a while to go but with Barcelona looking good for the La Liga title and in with a real shout of the Champions League, Raphinha has a serious chance to scoop the biggest individual title.