Barcelona’s Brazilian winger Raphinha has been named La Liga’s Player of the Season for 2024-25 after a breakthrough marketing campaign that propelled the Catalan giants to their first league title in three years.
The No. 11 was a power of nature for supervisor Hansi Flick’s facet, delivering 18 targets and 11 assists in 36 matches, solidifying his standing as considered one of Europe’s most deadly attackers.
Raphinha’s rise this season was nothing in need of spectacular.
After scoring simply seven targets in his debut 2022-23 season and 6 the next 12 months, he tripled his purpose tally underneath Flick’s dynamic system.
His means to each end clinically and create possibilities made him indispensable, rating second in La Liga assists behind solely Barcelona teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who tallied 15.
The award caps off a triumphant 12 months for Barcelona, with Flick additionally honored as Coach of the Year for his tactical overhaul that ended Real Madrid’s current home dominance.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old La Masia graduate Lamine Yamal claimed the Under-23 Player of the Season, reflecting a promising new era rising alongside veterans like Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.
Raphinha’s competitors was fierce.
Barcelona teammates Pedri and Lewandowski, together with Real Madrid stars Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and Jude Bellingham, plus Real Betis’ Isco and Athletic Club’s Oihan Sancet, all made robust circumstances for the highest particular person honor.
But Raphinha’s constant influence, versatility, and aptitude finally set him aside.
Since Flick took cost in summer season 2024, Raphinha has flourished in a high-press, quick-transition assault that maximizes his blistering tempo and deft dribbling.
Operating primarily with no consideration winger in a 4-3-3, he terrorized defenses with one-on-one runs and exact deliveries, combining seamlessly with Yamal and Lewandowski.
His newfound confidence and sharper ending have reworked him into a whole attacker.
Born Raphael Dias Belloli in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Raphinha’s journey to the highest has been a gentle climb by way of Sporting CP, Rennes, and Leeds United earlier than becoming a member of Barcelona in 2022 for 58 million ($66 million).
Now 28, he’s in his prime, mixing technical brilliance with relentless work ethic, incomes adoration from Camp Nou devoted.
This season’s accolades not solely highlight Raphinha’s particular person brilliance but in addition symbolize Barcelona’s revival after years of monetary struggles and close to misses.
Source: www.dailysabah.com