Barcelona earned a dominant 3-1 win (4-1 on aggregate) over Benfica in the Champions League round of 16 at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium on Tuesday night. Although Gavi made a brief appearance, the focus was on Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
The Brazilian winger shone brightly, scoring twice and assisting Yamal’s incredible first-half goal. His form this season has been remarkable, with 46 goal contributions in 41 matches.
Speaking to TNT Sports, former Bayern Munich and Manchester United player Owen Hargreaves commended Raphinha’s performances, even suggesting that he could be in the Ballon d’Or conversation.
“With his numbers this season, you could argue Raphinha is in the Ballon d’Or race,” Hargreaves said. “His finishing has been exceptional, he’s captain of the club, and he’s been a revelation. Right now, he might be leading the race.”
Hargreaves also compared Raphinha’s statistics to Mohamed Salah’s, highlighting the similarity in their goal and assist figures.
“To be in the Ballon d’Or conversation, you have to win the big trophies. Right now, it’s probably Salah leading, but Raphinha is very close,” he added.
As Barcelona advances to the quarter-finals, Raphinha’s influence continues to grow, and if he maintains this form, he could be a serious contender for the Ballon d’Or.
With no major international tournament this summer, the 2025 Ballon d’Or will be determined solely by club performances, unlike last year when Rodri won the award after helping Spain win Euro 2024 and guiding Manchester City to Premier League success.
However, Barcelona midfielder Gavi believes one player stands out as the top contender for the award—his teammate, Pedri.
“Nobody deserves the Ballon d’Or more than Pedri. Everyone knows the kind of player he is,” Gavi said after Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Benfica.
Pedri, now 22, won the Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy award in 2021 but has faced injury setbacks in recent years. Nonetheless, his talent is undeniable.
The Spanish international has long expressed his ambition to win the Ballon d’Or, acknowledging the challenge ahead.
“I hope I have the chance to win the Ballon d’Or. It’s a very difficult prize,” Pedri told SPORT in 2022. “You have to be the best in the world, and I still have a lot to learn and improve before that happens.”
With Barcelona advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals, Pedri now has the opportunity to prove himself on the grand stage. If he can stay fit and perform in crucial moments, he could become a strong contender for the prestigious award.
