Raphinha has taken to the Champions League like a duck takes to water since his move to Barcelona from Leeds United, and on Tuesday night he enjoyed another mercurial night in European action.
It is approaching three years since Raphinha swapped Leeds United for Barcelona. The 31-time Brazil star followed his idol Ronaldinho with a move to the Nou Camp, rejecting moves to Arsenal and Chelsea.
After an indifferent first couple of seasons in which Raphinha still managed to score 21 goals and lay on 25 assists, he has gone to another level. He has matched his goal involvements from the first two seasons.
A total of 46 goal involvements in his first season, Raphinha scored twice and laid on an assist – albeit, thanks to Lamine Yamal – to take his tally to 27 goals and 19 assists this term, a whopping 46 in total.
Thierry Henry discusses if Raphinha will win the Ballon d’Or
Harry Gray recently said that Raphinha is “the best in the world”, with the Brazilian on fire. His brace and assist last night has seen him now score 14 goals in 22 Champions League games, laying on 11 assists.
Talking on CBS Sports after a 3-1 win over Benfica, Thierry Henry says Raphinha is well within the shout to win the Ballon d’Or. Barcelona winning the Champions League would hand Leeds a £10m windfall.
“Yes, he is right up there. Raphinha is ahead for me now because of what he is doing, 11 goals in the Champions League [this season]. Mo Salah is a contender for it, Harry Kane as well, Dembele,” Henry said.
“But Raphinha is on a lot of goals with only one penalty. Not saying Kane shouldn’t be taking them, he’s been outstanding but Raphinha – what he is doing, he is complete. He defends, press well. He has it all.”
Raphinha sits top of the Champions League goalscoring rankings
Ultimately, if Raphinha is to win the Ballon d’Or then Barcelona need silverware. Things look positive, with Barcelona currently top of La Liga, level on points with Real Madrid but do have a game in hand.
But if there’s no silverware won, sitting top of the Champions League goalscoring rankings will certainly help. Raphinha has scored 11 goals this season, sitting ahead of both Harry Kane and Serhou Guirassy.
A big title and the golden boot in the Champions League will surely be enough for Raphinha to go and win the Ballon d’Or. If he does win the Champions League, his decision to join Barca will be proven right.