According to Mundo Deportivo, Rafinha has been involved in 11 goals in the first 6 games of the season, a better start than the previous two seasons, but he was left out of the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or.
Rafinha provided two assists against Levante, one for Esparte and one for Yamal, proving that he has had a very impressive start to the season.
This start is stronger than last season and the 2024/2025 season, which is precisely the season he will have a breakout year at Barcelona. The captain is heading towards breaking his personal records.
The 2024/2025 season, Flick's first as Barcelona manager, is destined to be remembered, partly due to Rafinha's comprehensive maturation. Primarily positioned on the left wing, he was impactful in all attacking areas, contributing an impressive 34 goals and 23 assists, directly involved in 57 goals – a record almost considered unbeatable. However, this Barcelona captain has no ceiling and is steadily approaching that goal.
A number 9 who can also provide assists.
In just six matches, Rafinha has been involved in 11 goals, including eight goals and three assists, with six in La Liga and two in the Champions League. If he continues this level of efficiency, his statistics will reach astonishing heights.
Against Levante, Rafinha proved that even now, playing as a number 9 and focusing more on scoring goals, he hasn't lost his ability to provide assists to his teammates. Besides his brace in this match, he also provided an assist to Adyemi in Barcelona's 5-0 victory over Elche in the first round of La Liga.
Last season, Rafinha was hampered by injuries, ultimately contributing 28 goals, including 21 goals and 7 assists. These statistics are not bad, but they are still far from the 57 goals he would contribute in the 2024/2025 season.
An inexplicable defeat
However, Rafinha's start to this season is even better than the previous two. Two years ago, after the first six games, he had contributed five goals, including three goals and two assists, the same as at this time last year. Now, Rafinha has far surpassed that, almost doubling those numbers.
Flick has once again brought out the best in Rafinha. The German coach previously said, "When he plays like this, he is one of the best players in the world."
Rafinha has recovered from his old right thigh injury, clearing up any doubts left over from the World Cup.
As Barcelona's first captain, locker room leader, and key player, he has yet to receive the respect he deserves, regardless of his contributions. Excluding him from the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or is simply unacceptable.
