From Romario to Ronaldo: Raphinha Approaches a Historic Milestone at Barça

Raphinha is the latest example of the love affair between FC Barcelona and Brazilian football. Over the years, several of the great players in 'verdeamarela' history have captivated the Catalan fans with the magic and joy that characterize them. A select group that the Blaugrana '11' could soon join, as his statistics are close to placing him alongside Brazilian legends who left their mark at Spotify Camp Nou.

Indeed, the winger is having his breakout season as a Blaugrana under Hansi Flick. The player has 'unleashed' himself as one of the best players in the world today, scoring 24 goals and 13 assists in 35 matches played and being one of the leaders of the Barça that is dominating in Spain and Europe. 

Raphinha, One Step Away from Catching Up to Ronaldo

His spectacular present in front of goal has allowed him to boost his scoring records. In total, Raphinha has scored 44 goals since his arrival in the Catalan capital in 2022, leaving him just 3 goals away from reaching the 47 scored by Ronaldo Nazario in the 1996-97 season and becoming the fifth highest Brazilian scorer in the history of Barça.

Once he surpasses the challenge of overtaking 'R9', the Porto Alegre native will have the difficult, but given his current level, not impossible, task of surpassing Ronaldinho (94 goals between 2003 and 2008), Neymar (105 between 2013 and 2017), Evaristo de Macedo (105 between 1957 and 1962), and Rivaldo (130 between 1997 and 2002) to establish himself as the highest-scoring Brazilian to have worn the Blaugrana jersey.