Raphinha Scores Twice in Barcelona’s Champions League Win, Dismisses Ballon d'Or Talk
Raphinha Stars as Barcelona Begin Champions League with Victory
Raphinha led the charge for Barcelona in their Champions League opener, delivering two impressive goals while playing as a makeshift centre-forward. The Brazilian captain praised his team's overall performance and offered support to young teammate Lamine Yamal, yet declined to discuss his absence from the Ballon d'Or shortlist.
Raphinha Excels in New Role
Taking on the centre-forward position, Raphinha impressed the Catalan fans by scoring twice in a commanding home win. His first goal came after a slick cutback that left two defenders behind, while his second was a perfectly timed run finished off following a setup from Pedri.
These goals bring Raphinha's season total to eight in just five matches, showcasing a striking return to form.
Captain Demands High Standards
After the match, the 29-year-old emphasized the importance of maintaining excellence when performing in front of Barcelona's supporters. He expressed satisfaction with how the team managed the game from the start but stressed the need for consistent effort throughout the season.
"Playing in front of our fans, we have to play almost perfect football. We've been very good from the start, controlling the game. Starting like this gives us a lot of confidence," said Raphinha.
Supporting Young Talent: Encouragement for Lamine Yamal
Beyond his on-field contributions, Raphinha showed leadership off the pitch by motivating Lamine Yamal. The captain noticed when the teenager was losing focus during challenging moments and gave him words of encouragement before Yamal scored from a free-kick.
"I know when he's losing focus because things aren't going his way. I was trying to encourage him. I'm very happy he scored, I'm sure he needed that goal," Raphinha shared.
Shutting Down Ballon d'Or Speculation
Despite his strong form and hard work, Raphinha avoided discussing his omission from the Ballon d'Or shortlist. Instead, he focused solely on the collective success of the team so far this season.
"I don't talk about that, I talk about Barcelona. We're having a spectacular season," he concluded.
- Match: Barcelona Champions League Opener
- Date: 10 September 2026
- Raphinha's Goals This Season: 8 goals in 5 matches
- Raphinha's Position: Centre-forward
- Support Shown To: Lamine Yamal (young winger)
