Raphinha’s rise to prominence at Barcelona is long overdue

If the start of 2024/25 has taught us one thing, it’s that Raphinha isn’t just a one trick pony.

The Brazilian, so often a player that would head down blind alleys or attempt passes that were never on, has just needed a coach with a little nous to get the best out of him.

Is it wrong to suggest straight off the bat that he’s been Barca’s most important player so far this season?

Perhaps the responsibility of becoming one of the club captains, particularly in light of the fact that it seemed nailed on that he would leave the club at various points over the past nine months, has focussed the mind.

I’ve not seen any missteps from him this season. Not one.

He is as dogged in defence and tracking back his marker as he’s ever been, and clearly has his shooting boots on.

Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images

Moreover, care is being taken with each pass. It simply isn’t played now if there’s a likelihood of it not reaching its intended target.

It’s a maturity to his game that’s been long overdue, and this version of the winger is arguably what Barca thought they were buying when they took him from Leeds.

All of the column inches are about Lamine Yamal’s performances, but there should be much more than the odd passing comment on how Raphinha is dictating the direction that the team are currently going in.

Hansi Flick has clearly found a hybrid type role for the player that he evidently enjoys and which keeps him working well in both defence and attack.

Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images

The body language is a marked difference from when Raphinha played under Xavi too.

The slumped shoulders and permanent grimace have been replaced by smiles and a puffed-out chest.

On this kind of form he is undroppable, and Barca really need to tap into that confidence and harness it as we head into another Champions League campaign.

When in full flight and able to turn defenders inside and out, he is an omnipresent danger for the Catalans.

No longer expected to plough a lone furrow out wide, he can bear down on the opposition back line centrally and effectively have them running for cover.

If there’s one thing defenders don’t like, it’s tricky and efficient attackers making a bee-line directly at the heart of the defence, with options either side or to go it alone.

Expect more of the same as the season progresses.