Raphinha – Football Flame

Raphinha returns to haunt Benfica again with long-range stunner

6Mar

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

Champions League

Raphinha returns to haunt Benfica again with long-range stunner

LISBON, PORTUGAL - MARCH 5: Raphinha Dias of Barcelona celebrates his goal with his teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first Leg match between SL Benfica and FC Barcelona at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on March 5, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. Raphinha has scored another goal against Benfica in a challenging first leg of the Champions League round of 16. The Brazilian winger intercepted a poor pass given by Antonio Silva in order to unleash an unstoppable shot towards the Portuguese's goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. While the Ukrainian did not have a chance to save the strike, the ball hit the bottom right corner to hand Barcelona a crucial away win at Estadio da Luz. Raphinha's winner comes after the Catalans were reduced to 10 men after Pau Cubarsi was sent ...

Barcelona plot surprising Raphinha sale in 2026

2Mar

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona plot surprising Raphinha sale in 2026

BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 25: Raphinha of FC Barcelona in action during the Spanish Cup, Copa del Rey, semi-final football match played between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on February 25, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona are looking to extend the contract of Raphinha, at the same time as preparing for an exit by the time the 2026 World Cup comes around, reports in Spain claim. The 28-year-old has been of Barcelona's most outstanding players of what's generally been an impressive season, registering 24 goals and 18 assists across 38 appearances in all competitions. Playing alongside Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski in a devastatingly talented front three, Raphinha has elevated his game to previously unseen levels and is now thought of as o...

Raphinha’s star on rise after hat trick vs. Bayern

24Oct

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

Raphinha’s star on rise after hat trick vs. Bayern

Raphinha of FC Barcelona competes during the UEFA Champions League day 3 football match between FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munich at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain on October 23, 2024. In the most star-studded game on Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League, one star wasted little time shining brighter than the rest – Raphinha. Barcelona's 4-1 win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday was chiefly a showcase for the Brazilian's skillset as he scored a hattrick, skillfully finding the back of the net on each occasion. He set the tone in the first minute, receiving a slick pass from Fermin Lopez deep in the opposition half before darting towards goal without a defender in sight. The finish, which came from close range after running around goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, was the e...

Raphinha explains why he’s thriving under Flick at Barca

28Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Raphinha explains why he’s thriving under Flick at Barca

PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 10: Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona at Parc des Princes on April 10, 2024 in Paris, France.(Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images) Raphinha has been talking about life at Barcelona under Hansi Flick and his fine form so far this season for the Catalan giants. The Brazilian has been key to Barcelona’s early-season form and was named La Liga’s Player of the Month for August.After picking up the award, Raphinha has been asked about his performances and why he’s thriving this season under Flick.“ During last season, Xavi had me defending several times and the truth is that I really like being closer to the goal,” he told...

Barcelona beat Villarreal 5-1 with the help of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha

23Sep

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona beat Villarreal 5-1 with the help of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha

Forwards Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha both scored twice to help Barcelona thrash hosts Villarreal 5-1 on Sunday as the visitors maintained their perfect start in La Liga with a sixth consecutive victory. Lewandowski found the net twice inside 35 minutes before Villarreal pulled a quick one back through Ayoze Perez but Pablo Torre made it 3-1 after the break and Raphinha completed the rout for Barca with two goals late in the second half. On Saturday, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said he was delighted with his side’s play and resiliency in their clash against Espanyol, fighting back to win 4-1 after falling behind due to a rare blunder by their goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Ancelotti praised his players’ poise under pressure as they dominated proceedings, earning a win thanks to go...

FC Barcelona star admits he considered leaving the club

3Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

FC Barcelona star admits he considered leaving the club

FC Barcelona star Raphinha admitted to RAC1 that he considered leaving the club at one point of his two-year tenure in Catalonia. The Brazilian is the man of the hour with three goals and two assists thus far, which have helped Barca maintain a 100% record across four games in 2024/2025 under Hansi Flick. He appears to be a new player on Flick's watch, who is finally starting to live up to his reported $66 million (€60 million) price tag which Barca met to snatch him away from Leeds United in 2022. Things weren't always so rosy, however, and Raphinha admitted that he once considered calling it a day with the Blaugrana."Did I consider leaving? Yes," Raphinha confessed to RAC1. "The first six months were complicated for me and my family. After the World Cup I improved and I was able...

Raphinha hat-trick as Barcelona rout Valladolid 7-0

1Sep

By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Raphinha hat-trick as Barcelona rout Valladolid 7-0

Brazil winger Raphinha scored a hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed Real Valladolid 7-0 on Saturday to make it four wins from four in La Liga under new coach Hansi Flick. While bitter rivals Real Madrid have stumbled early following the much-trumpeted arrival of Kylian Mbappe, Barcelona are off to a flying start despite their continued financial difficulties. They are also missing Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Ronald Araujo but have a maximum 12 points heading into the international break, leaving them seven clear of Madrid who face Real Betis today. “We’re growing as a team. I think it’s a very good start to the season,” said Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen. “I’m proud of how things are going... hopefully we can continue like that in the next weeks.” Barcelona’s best start to a La Lig...