Can Raphinha Win the Ballon D’or

Can a player who once danced with joy after narrowly escaping Premier League relegation now be crowned the best footballer on the planet with winning the ballon d’or? That’s the question circling around Raphinha, the electric Brazilian winger currently tearing up LaLiga and the Champions League in a season that has redefined his career and perhaps, his legacy.

At 28, Raphinha is no overnight sensation. Unlike the typical Ballon d’Or contenders who burst onto the scene as teenage prodigies, his path to the summit has been a slow, hard-fought climb. 

And yet, here he is on the verge of a historic treble with Barcelona, and with performances that have pundits and fans alike wondering if the prestigious golden ball might soon be his.

The season of a lifetime

With 28 goals across all competitions and a Champions League campaign that includes 19 goal contributions, Raphinha is operating at a level few can match. His performance in the quarter-final first leg against Borussia Dortmund where he scored and assisted twice was nothing short of dazzling, a showcase of flair, precision, and killer instinct. 

It tied him with a record once held by Lionel Messi. That’s not just form; that’s history.

Barcelona, once thought to be in transition, are now leading LaLiga, have reached the Copa del Rey final, and are favorites to advance further in Europe. 

Raphinha’s fingerprints are all over this success, especially as he’s found a new rhythm playing from the left, linking with Robert Lewandowski and feeding off the creativity of young star Lamine Yamal. This trio has been devastating, but Raphinha, in particular, has matured into the role of leader and match-winner.

How he started

What makes Raphinha’s Ballon d’Or case especially compelling is the journey that brought him here.

Just three years ago, he was grinding it out at Leeds United. He wasn’t even meant to be signed as a winger Leeds were looking for a left-back when an analyst’s video caught Marcelo Bielsa’s eye. That twist of fate led to one of the most inspired signings in the club’s recent history.

From day one at Leeds, his work rate was off the charts. In a pandemic season played behind closed doors, Raphinha recorded more sprints than any other winger in the Premier League despite missing several games. His relentless running, coupled with a natural flair for the spectacular, made him a fan favorite and earned him a move to Barcelona.

But the Barcelona chapter didn’t start like a fairytale. His first two seasons were inconsistent, peppered with flashes of brilliance but also frustrating stretches. There were whispers of a move to Saudi Arabia. Many doubted if he could thrive under the weight of Barca’s expectations. Then, something clicked.

How he became a star

Credit must go to Barcelona’s coaching staff for adjusting Raphinha’s role. Playing more from the left has unlocked his full attacking range. He’s not just scoring goals he’s also creating them. 

In LaLiga this season, he leads the charts for chances created from open play. For a player once criticized for being too individualistic, this transformation into a complete, team-oriented forward is striking.

It’s not just about stats, though. Those who worked with him early on saw this coming. At Avai in Brazil, coaches like Diogo Fernandes were already predicting that Raphinha would one day wear the Barcelona shirt. In Portugal, Vitor Campelos helped him adapt to European tactics, while Pedro Martins unleashed his flair without smothering it. 

Everyone who crossed his path noted the same thing: yes, he had talent, but it was his hunger to improve and his unbreakable will that set him apart. Even as a young player, Raphinha wanted to know where to stand, when to press, how to receive the ball better. He soaked up coaching like a sponge, blending Brazilian creativity with European discipline.

Can he win the Ballon d’Or?

So, does he deserve to win it? Much depends on how the rest of the season plays out. If Barcelona secure the treble with Raphinha leading from the front he will have a rock-solid claim. 

He’s already besting some of Europe’s finest on the stats sheet. Add silverware, and the narrative becomes irresistible: the late bloomer who climbed from the backwaters of Brazilian football to the brightest lights of Europe.

In a world where the Ballon d’Or often goes to young sensations or established icons, Raphinha’s story offers something different. It’s about grit, resilience, and the quiet grind behind the glamour. It’s about proving that peaking at 28 isn’t a curse—it can be a coronation.

If the Ballon d’Or is truly about rewarding the best player in the world right now, Raphinha has more than just a seat at the table. He might just take the crown.