Raphinha’s lightning start to the 2026–27 season has elevated his status at Barcelona to new heights, with the in-form forward not just one of the best players in the world currently, but a genuine name in the conversation of the storied club’s best-ever Brazilians.
The 29-year-old has started the new campaign like a man possessed, scoring 14 times in his first eight matches in all competitions, while making his exclusion from the 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist look like some sort of admin glitch.
