Barcelona is making names for itself this season following their sensational performances, which have seen the Catalan club as a favorite for a potential treble.
From Lamine Yamal to Raphinha, many players are making waves. As seen in yesterday’s clash with Benfica, they are ready to dominate the grandest stage in European football.
The most impressive player was the sensational Raphinha, who scored two goals and assisted in yesterday’s clash.
Barcelona Legend Tips Barcelona Superstar for Ballon d’Or Victory
According to Thierry Henry, Raphinha is the top prospect to win the Ballon d’Or this year, following his performance for Barcelona in the Champions League this season.
“Raphinha is ahead [in the Ballon d’Or race] because of what he is doing in the Champions League,” Henry said on CBS after Tuesday night’s matches in that competition,” he said. “He’s on 11 goals. Mo Salah is a great contender for it, [Harry] Kane is a contender, and [Ousmane] Dembele… it depends on how you perform in the Champions League on top of winning your league.
“Raphinha is on many goals with just one penalty—I’m not saying Kane shouldn’t take penalties – and Mohamed Salah is having a season in the Premier League that we will never see again. If a guy has virtually the same amount of goals without penalties, I’m not going to say that’s bad what you did; it is not bad but outstanding.
“But this guy, I have to talk about him because of what Raphinha is doing on top of defending, pressure, because when people talk about being complete as a striker, you need to know how to put pressure also and defend and help your full-back and press well; it’s many things you need to do and Raphinha has it all.”
This season, the former Leeds United favourite has 11 goals in ten European appearances. Three of those came in both legs of their last-16 match against Benfica, helping them advance to the quarterfinals.
Raphinha has another 16 goals in 31 domestic games and 19 assists in all competitions. While Mohamed Salah has received much attention in England, Henry believes the Brazil international is ahead of Liverpool’s No. 11 in terms of earning the prized individual award.
