Raphinha Hits Historic Number, the Best Brazilian Since Neymar
This season might go down as one of the most impressive ever by a Brazilian player in European football. Raphinha, the electric Barcelona winger, is currently enjoying the best form of his career. With two goals and an assist in the 4–3 win over Celta de Vigo, he has now reached 51 goal involvements this season. That equals Neymar's legendary 2015–16 campaign with Barça and makes Raphinha the most productive Brazilian in Europe since then. His impact is not just about stats, it’s about the timing, flair, and leadership he’s bringing to a team chasing a historic treble.
These numbers are not a joke. Raphinha has surpassed the likes of Roberto Firmino, Vinícius Júnior, and even Neymar’s best PSG seasons in terms of goal contributions. He leads all Brazilian players in the top five European leagues this season in goals and assists. His consistency has made him the heartbeat of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, drifting between the lines and unlocking defenses with vision and confidence. At this rate, he’s not just making headlines, he’s rewriting what it means to be a Brazilian attacker in modern football.
The scariest part? He’s not done yet. Barcelona still has at least ten matches to go this season, including a Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid, a La Liga title fight, and a Champions League semifinal. If Raphinha continues his form, he could become the first Brazilian to surpass 60 goal involvements in a single season in Europe. His rise from a negotiable squad player to an untouchable starter is nothing short of phenomenal. There’s a growing feeling that we are witnessing something special, something historic.
Given everything he has achieved so far and what’s still on the horizon, Raphinha must be the favorite contender for the Ballon d’Or conversation. Sure, stats alone don’t win the award. Just ask Vinícius. However, if Raphinha can lift a couple of trophies by the end of May, the narrative becomes hard to ignore. He’s leading from the front, inspiring teammates, and producing numbers that put him among the very best in the world. Right now, Barcelona’s No. 11 might just be the most valuable player in Europe, and it’s time the world takes notice.
