In a season where Barcelona has dazzled under Hansi Flick’s leadership, Raphinha has emerged as a pivotal figure, both at the club and international levels. The Brazilian forward, donning the iconic #10 jersey for his national team for the first time, delivered a moment of brilliance in Brazil’s 1-1 draw against Venezuela during the South American FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
The 27-year-old’s sublime direct free-kick in the first half showcased his precision and flair, giving Brazil a brief lead at the Estadio Monumental de Maturin. However, the Seleção couldn’t capitalize on Raphinha’s magic, with Venezuela equalizing shortly after halftime and Vinicius Jr. missing a penalty, leaving the game deadlocked.
Raphinha’s rise this season has been remarkable. After two mixed campaigns with Barcelona, he has cemented his place as one of Europe’s elite attackers, forming a lethal trio with Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal. At the club level, he continues to dominate scoring charts, a form he clearly carried into the international break.
As Brazil prepares to face Uruguay in a high-stakes encounter, Raphinha will look to replicate his brilliance against Marcelo Bielsa’s well-drilled side. A strong performance could not only bolster Brazil’s qualification campaign but also send him back to Barcelona brimming with confidence.
For the Blaugrana faithful, Raphinha’s evolution under Hansi Flick has been nothing short of inspiring. Despite Barcelona’s unexpected stumble against Real Sociedad before the break, the Brazilian’s return could reignite their charge across all competitions.
