Barcelona head to Inter Milan on Tuesday for a decisive Champions League semi-final second leg, with Raphinha emerging as a vital figure in the Spanish club’s extraordinary European campaign.
While the Brazilian wasn’t credited with a goal in last week’s 3-3 first-leg draw — his fierce strike bounced off the bar and into the net via Inter keeper Yann Sommer — his influence was unmistakable. It may have gone down as an own goal, but it was created entirely by Raphinha’s power and precision.
The winger’s Champions League form has been remarkable. With 12 goals and nine assists in 13 matches — including the effort leading to Sommer’s own goal — Raphinha has been directly involved in 21 goals, just one shy of Inter’s total as a team in the tournament. That haul also surpasses Lionel Messi’s best single-season contribution in Europe for Barcelona, which stood at 19.
Across all competitions this season, the 28-year-old former Leeds United star has racked up 31 goals and 25 assists in 52 games, fuelling Barcelona’s ambitious bid for a quadruple. With the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup already secured, only La Liga and the Champions League remain within reach.
Much of this turnaround is attributed to new manager Hansi Flick, who took over following a turbulent period under Xavi Hernandez. Raphinha credits Flick with transforming his outlook and performance.
“He changed everything for me,” the winger said. “Before the season, I was thinking of leaving. The coach made me believe again. He gave me all the confidence I needed — this is the best season of my career, and I owe it all to him.”
Raphinha’s journey at the club hasn’t been straightforward. Signed in 2022 during Barcelona’s controversial financial manoeuvres, his early time in Spain was mixed — moments of effort and brilliance, tempered by inconsistency. Despite scoring 10 goals in his debut campaign and helping secure La Liga, last season brought stagnation for both player and club, with Raphinha once again netting 10 goals but facing increased competition from teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal.
Amid transfer interest from the Premier League and Saudi Arabia, Raphinha looked destined to leave, especially as Barcelona eyed Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams as a replacement. But Flick’s arrival changed the dynamic. He persuaded Raphinha to stay and redeployed him effectively on the left wing, unlocking his full potential in the process.
Flick’s high-pressing style has suited Raphinha’s tireless work ethic, and the German coach has made no secret of his admiration. “Raphinha is a leader — he always has that positive mentality and passes it on to the team,” said Flick after a comeback win against Celta Vigo.
Though Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy currently leads the Champions League scoring chart by a single goal, Raphinha came close to matching him in the first leg against Inter — only the crossbar denied him.
He also set up Ferran Torres in that match and was vocal about the team’s shortcomings, saying: “It’s unacceptable to concede so many goals at home,” demonstrating his growing leadership on and off the pitch.
While much attention is drawn to Lamine Yamal’s dazzling displays, it’s Raphinha who continues to grind away with quiet effectiveness, playing a crucial role in Barcelona’s push to reach their first Champions League final in a decade.
