- Raphinha scored 30 Premier League goals in 71 appearances for Leeds United, a 0.42 goals‑per‑game ratio.
- As of September 2024, his market value is estimated at €70 million, up 15 % from the previous year.
- He has recorded 22 UEFA Champions League appearances and 5 goals since joining Barcelona.
- Raphinha’s dribble success rate in La Liga 2023‑24 was 68 %, one of the highest among wingers.
Raphinha is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Barcelona and the Brazil national team. He is renowned for his explosive pace, close‑ball dribbling, and the ability to score decisive goals in top‑European competitions.
Who is Raphinha and what clubs has he played for?
Born Raphael Barbosa de Lima on December 22, 1996, in São Paulo, Brazil, Raphinha began his senior career with Corinthians in 2014. After a loan spell at Athletico Paranaense, he moved to Europe in 2017, joining French side Rennes where he made 83 Ligue 1 appearances and scored 24 goals. In 2020 he signed for Leeds United, delivering 30 Premier League goals across two seasons before transferring to Barcelona in July 2022 on a five‑year contract.
What are Raphinha’s most notable career statistics?
Below is a snapshot of Raphinha’s senior club statistics as of September 2024, covering league matches only.
| Club | Seasons | League Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corinthians | 2014‑2016 | 15 | 1 |
| Athletico Paranaense (loan) | 2016‑2017 | 10 | 0 |
| Rennes | 2017‑2020 | 83 | 24 |
| Leeds United | 2020‑2022 | 71 | 30 |
| Barcelona | 2022‑2024 | 68 | 19 |
How did Raphinha perform in the Premier League?
During his two‑year spell at Leeds United, Raphinha recorded a 0.42 goals‑per‑game ratio, scoring 30 league goals in 71 appearances. He also contributed 11 assists, making him the club’s top offensive player in the 2020‑21 season with a combined 19 goal‑involvements.
What awards and honors has Raphinha won?
Raphinha’s individual and team achievements include:
- Campeonato Paulista champion with Corinthians (2015)
- Ligue 1 runner‑up with Rennes (2018‑19)
- Premier League Player of the Month – March 2021 (Leeds United)
- UEFA Champions League Goal of the Week – Round of 16, 2023 (Barcelona vs. Inter Milan)
- Included in Brazil’s 2022 World Cup squad (did not play)
What is Raphinha’s playing style and strengths?
Raphinha operates primarily on the left wing but is comfortable cutting inside onto his stronger right foot. His key strengths are acceleration over short distances (0‑10 m in 1.02 seconds), a dribble success rate of 68 % in the 2023‑24 La Liga season, and a propensity to arrive late in the box, which led to 7 of his 19 Barcelona goals from inside the six‑yard line.
How has Raphinha impacted the Brazil national team?
Raphinha earned his first senior cap on September 24 2022 in a friendly against Ghana, and as of September 2024 he has 7 caps and 2 goals. He scored his inaugural international goal on March 28 2023, a header against Uruguay in a CONMEBOL Nations League match, helping Brazil secure a 2‑1 victory.
What is the latest news about Raphinha’s transfer market value?
Transfermarkt lists Raphinha’s market value at €70 million in August 2024, up 15 % from the previous year after a strong start to the 2024‑25 La Liga campaign, where he already has 4 goals and 3 assists in 7 league games.
Where can fans follow Raphinha’s career?
Official updates are posted on Barcelona’s website, the club’s verified Twitter account (@FCBarcelona), and Raphinha’s personal Instagram (@raphinha). Match highlights and statistical breakdowns are also available on platforms such as WhoScored, SofaScore, and the UEFA official site.
What were the key milestones in Raphinha’s career?
Raphinha’s career can be traced through eight pivotal moments: 1) Senior debut for Corinthians on 22 May 2014; 2) First professional goal on 12 July 2015 in a Campeonato Paulista match; 3) Loan to Athletico Paranaense in January 2016, providing first regular top‑flight minutes; 4) Transfer to Rennes in July 2017 for €5 million; 5) Breakout season 2019‑20 with 13 Ligue 1 goals, earning a call‑up to Brazil’s U‑23 side; 6) Premier League move to Leeds United on 4 September 2020 for €12 million; 7) Scoring the winning goal against Manchester City on 28 May 2021, securing Leeds’ survival; 8) Signing for Barcelona on 12 July 2022, where he debuted on 21 August 2022 against Rayo Vallecano.
How has Raphinha performed in European competitions?
Raphinha’s European record includes 22 UEFA Champions League appearances and 5 goals as of September 2024, most of which came after joining Barcelona.
| Season | Club | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022‑23 | Barcelona | 8 | 2 |
| 2023‑24 | Barcelona | 14 | 3 |
What injuries has Raphinha faced and how did they affect his playtime?
Raphinha missed six weeks in the 2021‑22 Premier League season after sustaining a Grade‑2 hamstring strain during a match against Tottenham on 2 January 2022. The injury limited him to 17 league appearances that season, a drop from 38 the previous year, and prompted a cautious rehabilitation program before his summer move to Barcelona.
What are experts saying about Raphinha’s future prospects?
Football analysts at Sky Sports and The Athletic predict that Raphinha could become Barcelona’s primary left‑wing threat if he maintains his current 0.28 goals‑per‑game ratio in La Liga. They note his contract runs until 2027, giving the club flexibility to negotiate a new deal or consider a high‑value transfer if larger European clubs express interest.
What are the details of Raphinha’s contract with Barcelona?
Raphinha signed a five‑year deal on 12 July 2022 with a release clause reported at €250 million. The contract includes a €15 million bonus for reaching 20 La Liga goals and an additional €10 million for 10 Champions League appearances in a single season.
How does Raphinha compare to other top La Liga wingers in 2023‑24?
Raphinha logged 2,350 minutes, delivering 9 goals, 5 assists, a 68 % dribble success rate, and an expected goals (xG) of 7.4, placing him ahead of Dembélé and behind Ferran Torres in total goal contributions.
| Player | Goals | Assists | Dribble Success % | xG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raphinha | 9 | 5 | 68 | 7.4 |
| Ousmane Dembélé | 7 | 4 | 62 | 6.8 |
| Ferran Torres | 12 | 6 | 65 | 9.1 |
Final thoughts on Raphinha’s trajectory
Raphinha’s rapid rise from a youth prospect in São Paulo to a regular starter for one of Europe’s biggest clubs demonstrates his adaptability and technical growth. His consistent goal output, combined with a high dribble success rate, suggests he will remain a key attacking option for Barcelona and Brazil for years to come. Monitoring his performance in the upcoming Champions League knockout stages will provide further insight into his ability to influence games at the highest level.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Raphinha make his debut for Barcelona?
Raphinha made his official Barcelona debut on 21 August 2022, coming on as a substitute in a La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano.
How many goals did Raphinha score for Leeds United in the Premier League?
Raphinha netted 30 league goals for Leeds United across 71 Premier League appearances between 2020 and 2022.
What is Raphinha’s contract length with Barcelona?
He signed a five‑year contract with Barcelona on 12 July 2022, which runs until the summer of 2027 and includes a €250 million release clause.
Has Raphinha played in a FIFA World Cup?
Raphinha was selected for Brazil’s 2022 World Cup squad but did not appear in any matches during the tournament.