Raphinha fires back at critics: 'I've scored 8 goals - think anything's changed?'
Barcelona's Brazilian winger responds to comparisons with last season's form after netting in 3-0 win over Oviedo, insisting his approach remains unchanged.
Barcelona’s Brazilian winger is clearly getting a bit miffed with the constant comparisons to his previous campaign statistics, making his feelings crystal clear after finding the net in Barça’s comfortable 3-0 victory against Oviedo.
Stats don’t lie
Raphinha wasn’t having any of it when questioned about his current form compared to last season’s output. The Brazilian was quick to point out his goalscoring record this term.
“I’ve scored 8 goals in 13 league games this season. Think anything’s changed from last season?” he fired back with noticeable irritation. The former Leeds man clearly feels the numbers speak for themselves.
While journalists might be Adam and Eve-ing that something’s different about his performances, Raphinha maintains he’s approaching matches exactly as he did during his previous campaign at Camp Nou.
Never satisfied
Despite his decent returns, what’s particularly telling about Raphinha’s mentality is his reluctance to rest on his laurels. Speaking to DAZN after the match, he emphasised his constant desire for improvement:
“I’ll never tell you I’m at my best moment, because I’m someone who always looks to evolve. I’ll never tell you this is my best moment.”
This perfectionist attitude explains why he’s become such a key figure in Barcelona’s attack under Xavi.
Numbers game
The stats do tell a slightly different story, however. At this same stage last season (matchday 21), Raphinha had accumulated:
- 2022/23: 12 goals and 8 assists
- 2023/24: 7 goals and 3 assists
This slight dip might explain why comparisons are being drawn, though his overall contribution remains valuable.
Pressing matters
Raphinha’s second-half goal against Oviedo came from pressing high and capitalizing on a defensive error - something he sees as fundamental to his role.
“Pressing high and trying to win back as many balls as possible, like for the second goal. Bad luck for their centre-back, but that’s what I have to do, press in those situations,” he explained.
The Brazilian also acknowledged Barcelona’s slow start before finding their rhythm after the break: “We knew it would be difficult. They’re a team that presses you and tries to play. I think we didn’t have our best moment in the first half. In the second, we could score the goals and that’s most important.”