There was a time when Raphinha’s place at Barcelona was constantly debated. Was he consistent enough? Was he clinical enough? Could he truly become one of Barça’s biggest attacking stars?
Fast-forward to the Hansi Flick era and those questions suddenly look very different. 😮💨🔥
Raphinha has transformed from an exciting winger into a relentless match-winner, and the numbers behind his evolution are absolutely ridiculous.
His breakthrough under Flick came during the 2024/25 campaign, when he produced 34 goals and 22 assists in 57 appearances across all competitions. Barcelona’s official website described that season as his breakout campaign, while he was also named LaLiga’s best player after contributing 18 goals and 11 assists in the league.
But the scary part?
He hasn’t stopped. 😭🔥
Raphinha has carried that attacking explosion into the 2026/27 season and is currently producing numbers that look almost unreal.
After seven LaLiga matches, the Brazilian has already registered 12 goals and 3 assists, giving him 15 goal involvements in just seven league appearances. LaLiga’s official statistics confirm the numbers, while Opta also lists him as the league’s leading scorer at this stage.
And then came Sevilla. 💀🇧🇷
Barcelona fell behind, but Raphinha completely flipped the game on its head. He scored a hat-trick to inspire a 3–1 comeback victory, taking his league tally to 12 goals in seven matches. Even more frightening, two of those goals came after brilliant combinations with Lamine Yamal.
But what exactly has Flick changed?
🧠 RAPHINHA NOW PLAYS WITH FREEDOM
Flick has given Raphinha more responsibility in the final third while allowing him to attack different spaces instead of being locked into one predictable position.
That freedom has made him much harder to defend.
Sometimes he starts wide. Sometimes he attacks centrally. Sometimes he drops deeper before suddenly exploding into the box.
Defenders simply cannot afford to switch off. ⚡
🎯 HE HAS BECOME MUCH MORE CLINICAL
This is perhaps the biggest difference.
Raphinha still brings the intensity, pressing and explosive running that Barça fans have always known, but now there is much more ruthlessness when the opportunity arrives.
Against Sevilla, he scored with his right foot, his head and then completed the hat-trick with another composed finish. A perfect hat-trick. 🤯🔥
💪 THE WORK RATE HASN’T DISAPPEARED
One of the reasons Flick trusts Raphinha so heavily is that his contribution isn’t limited to goals and assists.
Barcelona themselves highlighted his defensive work and tireless contribution during his outstanding performance against Newcastle in March 2026, when he produced two goals and two assists.
That combination is dangerous.
A player who can press.
A player who can create.
A player who can score.
And a player willing to work relentlessly for the team.
👑 AND NOW HE’S A LEADER
Raphinha isn’t just producing numbers anymore. He is becoming one of the faces of this Barcelona side.
Flick recently called him the “best captain Barcelona could have” after his hat-trick against Sevilla, while Barcelona have continued their perfect start to the league campaign.
The transformation is impossible to ignore.
Under Flick, Raphinha has found confidence, freedom, responsibility and a system that maximises his biggest strengths.
And when a player with his mentality finally finds that combination?
THIS is what happens. 😭🔥🇧🇷
From being questioned about his future at Barça to becoming one of the most terrifying attackers in Europe, Raphinha has completely changed the narrative.
Flick opened the door. Rapha kicked it down. 💙❤️🔥
#FCBarcelona #Raphinha #HansiFlick #Barca #ViscaBarça #LaLiga #RaphinhaFans
