Raphinha has gone from being a promise to a key player for FC Barcelona. His great performance is reflected not only in the goals he scores but also in his presence on the field.
In the recent match against Benfica, he once again showed that he is at his best by scoring two important goals for his team. With his skill in the area and his ability to decide matches, Raphinha is becoming one of the standout players of the season.
This type of performance is placing the Brazilian in the conversation of the best footballers in the world. His attitude, effort, and ability to make a difference in key moments have made him a true leader in the locker room.
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Dembélé, the "Black Sheep" Who Now Shines
Ousmane Dembélé was a player marked by inconsistency at Barça. While he had flashes of brilliance, his attitude and lack of prominence led to his departure from the club.
His relationship with the locker room and lack of playing time made him feel displaced, and he eventually decided to leave Barça to sign with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). In the French capital, Dembélé found a new lease on life and, above all, a prominence he never achieved at Barça. He not only adapted quickly to PSG but also became a key piece of Luis Enrique's team.
In a recent Champions League match, Dembélé was the one who scored the goal that eliminated Liverpool, another demonstration of his ability to decide important matches. Dembélé, with 21 goals in 2025, is the player with the most goals in the 5 major leagues, according to Fabrizio Romano. This is a fact that can't be ignored.
Dembélé: Candidate for the Ballon d'Or?
Dembélé's performance in 2025 has made it clear that the Frenchman has more than enough quality to compete for high-level individual awards. With 21 goals so far this year, his level has been comparable to the best forwards in the world. The fact that he is being so decisive in the Champions League and the French league only adds weight to his candidacy for the Ballon d'Or.
What would have happened if Dembélé had reached this level at Barça? His departure from the club was key to his resurgence. While Raphinha continues to establish himself as a Barça star, Dembélé continues to prove that the decision to leave the Catalan team was the right one for him.