Brazil national team manager Dorival Junior has praised Raphinha for his impressive transformation from a player who faced heavy criticism to one now being considered a “Ballon d’Or contender.”
The Barcelona winger has had the best season of his career, with his goal in Wednesday’s Champions League victory over Benfica marking his 25th of the season.
Across all competitions, Raphinha has contributed directly to 41 goals in 40 appearances—nearly double his previous seasonal best of 21.
This remarkable improvement has put Raphinha in the conversation for some of football’s highest individual honors. Dorival Junior made this clear when speaking to the media ahead of Brazil’s March international fixtures, stating: “Raphinha is a Ballon d’Or contender.”
The praise comes after a challenging period for the 28-year-old, who had faced harsh criticism during Brazil’s Copa America campaign.
Dorival pointed out that Raphinha’s turnaround was significant, as he had previously been criticized during Brazil’s quarter-final exit to Uruguay in the 2021 Copa America.
Raphinha’s future at Barcelona also looked uncertain after that tournament, as the club considered selling him. The winger himself had contemplated leaving due to the criticism he received.
However, new manager Hansi Flick convinced Raphinha to stay and helped him rediscover his form by repositioning him on the left flank, allowing him more freedom to roam and showcase his attacking abilities.
Raphinha’s impressive performances have not gone unnoticed. Ahead of Barcelona’s La Liga clash with Osasuna, their manager, Vicente Moreno, singled out Raphinha for praise, calling him “underrated” and one of the best players in the world.
Moreno emphasized Raphinha’s influence on both offensive and defensive play, stating, “I see him as one of the best in the world, if not the best, with more influence in team and individual work.”
