Barcelona coach Hansi Flick believes that Raphinha “might have a shot” at successful this yr’s Ballon d’Or.
Mohamed Salah, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe are among the many early favourites to scoop world soccer’s most prestigious particular person prize in 2025, however Raphinha has emerged as a shock however legitimate contender on account of his phenomenal kind for Barcelona.
The Brazilian winger, who was even captaining the workforce earlier this season when Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong had been nonetheless sidelined, has scored 25 objectives and racked up 18 assists (43 total direct aim involvements) in 40 appearances throughout all competitions.
And but, Barcelona would have changed Raphinha in a heartbeat final summer season if their delicate funds had allowed them to signal Euro 2024 breakout star Nico Williams.
“In fact, if he performs effectively this season, he might have a shot,” Flick mentioned this week.
“He all the time contributes immensely, and in case you take a look at the objectives he has scored, it showcases his dedication. You may see how targeted he’s. I am happy together with his degree of play.”
Amongst Raphinha’s greatest performances this season have been a aim and help in a 4-0 demolition of Actual Madrid in October’s Clasico, two extra objectives and an help over Barca’s fiercest rivals within the Supercopa de Espana ultimate, and a Champions League hat-trick in opposition to Bayern Munich.
The final Barcelona participant to win the Ballon d’Or was Lionel Messi in 2019, though the Blaugrana icon has been awarded it twice extra since, throughout spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.
Messi obtained the Ballon d’Or six instances as a Barcelona participant between 2009 and 2019, with Ronaldinho (2005), Rivaldo (1999), Hristo Stoichkov (1994), Johan Cruyff (1973, 1974) and Luis Suarez (1961) the others to win it whereas representing the membership.
