What if the failure of the Julián Álvarez case was ultimately a solution for FC Barcelona? While the Blaugranas had tried everything this summer to convince Atlético de Madrid to sell the Argentine striker, the Colchoneros categorically closed the door. A situation all the more problematic as Robert Lewandowski had reached the end of his contract and Ferran Torres had also left Catalonia to join Paris. And in addition to the arrival of Gabriel Jesus, Flick made a strong choice: install Raphinha at the forefront of his attack. A bet that is already bearing fruit.
After just five days of La Liga, the Brazilian’s numbers are impressive. Raphinha has already contributed to nine goals, with six goals and three assists, and has found the net in each of his league appearances. No Barça player has had such a record after the first five matches of a La Liga season since Lionel Messi in 2017/18. The Argentinian then had ten contributions, with nine goals and an assist. All this, without counting the double of the ex-Rennais against Feyenoord this week in the Champions League (5-1).
Raphinha decisive in all matches since the start of the season
“It looks like we’re at our best with this start, but no. I’m happy. We had an excellent start, but in the second half we dropped a little in intensity. Levante was good, the pitch was not in good condition and the first goal we conceded was my fault.”explained Hansi Flick, after the victory at Levante, who recently described Raphinha as “one of the best players in the world”. And as was seen at Levante this Sunday afternoon (4-2), where he was very selfless with two new assists, Raphinha ticks all the boxes of the modern number 9 sought by Flick.
Once announced as a possible departure candidate after a 2025/26 season disrupted by injuries and despite requests from Saudi Arabia, Raphinha has always benefited from Flick’s confidence. The Blaugrana captain is now much more than a winger capable of helping out in the middle, as he becomes the answer to Barça’s goalscoring problem. The failure of the transfer of Julián Álvarez could thus have allowed the Catalans to discover a new version of Raphinha, within a completely crazy attack with already 21 goals in La Liga. A record since the 2011/12 season, and it was the great Barça.
