Barcelona might not have a senior, natural center forward in their ranks, but they do have the new Pichichi race leader. It’s not Robert Lewandowski or Ferran Torres or Julián Alvarez—it’s Raphinha.
The Brazilian, who now dons the captain’s armband for the defending Spanish champions, has seamlessly filled the gap in Hansi Flick’s attack, almost like he’s been a No. 9 all his life. Suddenly, there’s no longer panic or fear sweeping through Catalonia after a striker-less summer transfer window.
