Raphinha’s Crucial Comeback: The Brazilian Faces Make or Break Moment at Barcelona

If all goes as planned, Raphinha will make his return this weekend against Granada after a month-long absence due to a hamstring injury. The Brazilian, who sustained the injury in the Supercopa semifinals, faces a challenging situation upon his return. Lamine Yamal has secured a starting position, and Raphinha is well aware that he must step up to establish himself at Barcelona. With four months to prove his worth, failure to do so might lead the Blaugrana to consider putting him on the market to recover their investment made a year and a half ago. Signs point towards him being one of the potential departures.

Barcelona had hoped for Raphinha to confirm his abilities this season after an inconsistent first year. The departure of Ousmane Dembélé and the full confidence of sporting director Deco in the player prompted the Brazilian to continue and assume a crucial role within the project. Raphinha was expected to take on a leadership role, but injuries have hindered him, and in decisive matches, he has not been a standout player. Doubts surrounding the player have multiplied, and the pressure on him in the coming months will be substantial.

Raphinha’s statistics are not bad but fall short of excellence. Having played 20 matches this season, he has contributed 4 goals and seven assists. This performance remains modest for a player who cost more than 60 million euros. He has yet to overshadow Ousmane Dembélé, and reclaiming a starting position could be challenging, especially with Lamine Yamal playing a key role in Barcelona’s resurgence in this phase of the season.

Raphinha is well aware that Barcelona’s preference is for Lamine Yamal on the right wing—the only position where he feels comfortable—and the club is actively seeking a left-winger. If Joao Félix remains on loan, Raphinha’s chances of playing could diminish, making a potential market exit likely. His saving grace could be showcasing his best football in the crucial stretch of the season to convince everyone that he can be a top-level player at Barcelona.

The Blaugrana are clear that Raphinha maintains his market value despite not fully flourishing at the club. Being a Brazilian international, several Premier League clubs have him on their radar. Last summer, there was an offer from Newcastle that wasn’t accepted due to Dembélé’s stay, and now both Chelsea and Tottenham are reportedly willing to bid for him, along with interest from a Saudi Arabian team like Al Hilal. While Raphinha has never wanted to leave Barcelona, the current financial needs and the necessity for significant sales might put pressure on him if he’s chosen to be part of the outgoing transfers.

Raphinha is a player appreciated by the coaching staff. They recognize that he has faced unfortunate periods due to two untimely injuries but see him as someone who always gives his best, even when things don’t go his way. At times, the Brazilian has shown frustration on the field when Xavi decided to substitute him for tactical reasons. While his commitment is unquestionable, Barcelona believes he needs to do a bit more to meet the expectations at the club.