FC Barcelona secured a commanding 3-1 victory over Benfica in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, punching their ticket to the quarterfinals. After the game, Raphinha stepped up and delivered a six-word message to rivals as the final stretch of the season approaches.
Having established himself as one of Barcelona’s key players in the 2024-25 season, Raphinha once again proved decisive, contributing with goals and assists. Following the match, he made his ambitions clear in an interview with Movistar Plus+:
“We are contenders to win everything,” the Brazilian star stated. With La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League still up for grabs, Raphinha’s message reflects Barcelona’s determination to compete on all fronts. The team currently sits at the top of La Liga, having already secured the Spanish Super Cup in January with a victory over Real Madrid.
Raphinha also analyzed Barcelona’s dominant performance against Benfica, highlighting the team’s approach and execution: “We knew that Benfica would come at us strong, and we understood what we needed to do to win the match. We were focused on that. In the end, we had the result in our favor, and I think we played a great first half.”
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has even endorsed Raphinha as a Ballon d’Or contender, recognizing his impact on the team. With 27 goals and 19 assists in 41 games this season, the Brazilian winger has been instrumental in Barcelona’s push for multiple trophies.
see also
Bombshell at Liverpool: Mohamed Salah reportedly offered himself to another club competing in the Champions League
Benfica: Raphinha’s favorite opponent
Barcelona and Benfica have faced off three times in the 2024-25 Champions League, once in the league phase and twice in the knockout stage. In all three encounters, Raphinha stole the show, earning MVP honors each time.
During the league phase, Barcelona edged out Benfica 5-4 in stoppage time, with Raphinha scoring twice, including the match-winning goal. In the Round of 16 first leg, he secured a 1-0 victory with the game’s only goal. Then, on Tuesday, he delivered another stellar performance, netting a brace and assisting Lamine Yamal, bringing his tally to five goals and one assist in three games against the Portuguese side.
The Brazilian forward, despite his individual brilliance, remained focused on the bigger picture. “For me, the most important thing is what we achieve as a team, and I’m quite happy with this victory,” Raphinha admitted.
