Hansi Flick backing Barcelona captain Raphinha to win Ballon d’Or

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has thrown his support behind Raphinha as a serious contender for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award this year.

The Brazilian forward has been in stellar form this season, making a strong case for individual recognition alongside the likes of Mohamed Salah, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.

Raphinha, 28, has been a key figure in Barcelona’s campaign, delivering 22 goals and 11 assists in just 35 appearances so far in 2024-25.

His impressive performances have propelled the Catalan club to the top of La Liga while also boosting their Champions League aspirations under Flick.

Ahead of Barcelona’s crucial Champions League Round of 16 second-leg clash against Benfica, Flick was asked about Raphinha’s chances of claiming the Ballon d’Or.

“Raphinha for the Ballon d’Or? He is a candidate, yes. Of course, if he does well this season he could have a chance,” he said.

“He always helps us a lot, and if you see the goals he has scored it shows you how hungry he is. You see it, it’s good to see how focused he is. I’m happy with his level.”

Barcelona showcased their strength in the recent 1-0 victory over Benfica despite playing much of the match with ten men.

True to his form, Raphinha delivered the crucial goal, once again proving his value to the team.

Flick added: “They have a great team. Bruno Lage does a great job and you can see his philosophy on the pitch. The best thing is for us to be 100% focused and not think about the first leg. Normally they always press high.”

“They do that very well, they’ve won a lot of away games. We have to focus on that. It’s all about positioning, good possession helps us a lot both in attack and defense. That’s what we want to do.”

Before his move to Barcelona in a £55m deal, Raphinha was heavily linked with Premier League clubs, particularly Chelsea and Arsenal. Chelsea even reached an agreement with Leeds United, but the winger opted for a transfer to Spain instead.

Last summer, speculation arose about a potential return to England, with Manchester United reportedly interested in acquiring his services.

However, he remained at Barcelona, where he continues to thrive and make a strong case for one of football’s most prestigious individual honors.