Under Xavi’s stewardship, it seemed very likely at one point that the former Leeds United winger would be sold, having rarely played for more than an hour in many games.
New lease of life under Hansi Flick
However, since Hansi Flick was installed as coach, the Brazilian has been given a new lease of life.
As one of the captains of the team Raphinha has thrived, taking the responsibility completely in his stride. The way in which he’s led the team, with or without the armband, has certainly been one of the major successes of the Flick era.
Whilst it’s true that he’s gone a little off the boil in 2025/26, compared to the previous campaign, he still has 19 goals and seven assists in all competitions to his name in the current season.
His most recent injury, a third thigh complaint since August, has again seen a dip in Barca’s results, most notably Atleti’s 2-0 win at Camp Nou, the first time they’d won there in 20 years.
Absent from Atletico Madrid thumping
Los Rojiblancos were also victors during Raphinha’s last spell out of the side, on that occasion thumping Barca 4-0 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.
The team have also won in his absence, of course, including swatting aside an Espanyol side on a double-digit run of games without a win, and a cup win at Albacete, but neither of those matches can really be used as the yardstick, with respect.
Perhaps a truer reflection of how much he was missed came earlier in the season when he was out for nine consecutive games in all competitions.
In amongst that run came a 4-1 loss at Sevilla, a 2-1 defeat in El Clasico to Real Madrid and a 3-3 draw against Club Brugge in the Champions League.
Barca haven't been the same in the big games without Raphinha
Wins against Girona, Elche and Olympiacos were arguably expected, so a pattern does appear to emerge from Raphinha’s absences.
In the bigger games this season, Barca have been found wanting, the second leg on Tuesday night notwithstanding.
Marcus Rashford has ostensibly been the go-to guy in the Brazilian’s place, and he has produced a remarkable set of figures for a first season with the club, particularly as a bit-part player to a certain extent.
However, despite setting as good an example as possible, the Englishman isn’t quite in Raphinha’s class.
Great numbers despite the injuries
The Brazilian charges around the pitch like his life depended on it, and no ball is a lost cause.
His goals and assists output in 25/26 are only bettered by Lamine Yamal, with the young prodigy having played 12 games (and approximately 1,500 minutes) more than him to date this season.
57 crosses from open play are again second to Lamine, with a 30.4% success rate only marginally worse than Jules Kounde and Joao Cancelo.
Fermin Lopez and Lamine are the two players to have created slightly more than Raphinha’s 18 big chances, with Rashford the only player to have created more than the Brazilian’s 17 chances from set plays.
A 50% tackle success - he’s won and lost 14 of his 28 attempts - is acceptable for a player where defence isn’t necessarily his primary concern, nor could it be said to be his forte either. Ditto his 15 clearances and eight interceptions.
An example to the young players
If there’s one area he could look to improve upon, it’s his pass completion.
An 80.7% showing doesn’t sound particularly bad until you realise that only Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski are worse off in this regard.
There’s no question at all that Raphinha remains integral to the way in which Flick wants his Barcelona side to play.
Defending from the front by hunting down the opposition at every opportunity, whilst also providing scintillating wing play, is a prerequisite.
The confidence, spark and energy that the Brazilian gives to the side, his evolution as a senior member of the squad, and the manner in which he approaches every game ensure he remains a firm favourite with his teammates, the management team and the fans.
Given how on edge Atletico were in the opening half hour of that UCL second leg, it’s not difficult to imagine just how much Raphinha would’ve profited down the left channel.
That game was surely one of Barca’s best performances of the season and shows that they can cope without the Brazilian; however, with him in situ, the Catalans might well have gone through to a semi-final against Arsenal or Sporting at Ateti's expense.
Although the Blaugranes are still nine points ahead in LaLiga, too, the quicker their number 11 can return for the run-in, the better for Barca.
