La Sexta (Six Trebles)

Lore & Background

Raphinha began his career with Brazilian club Avaí, before signing for the Portuguese Vitória de Guimarães in 2016, where he made his professional debut. In 2018, he joined fellow Primeira Liga club Sporting CP, winning the double of the Taça de Portugal and Taça da Liga in 2019. After having played for Rennes and Leeds United, Raphinha signed for Spanish club Barcelona in 2022 for a transfer worth €58 million (£50 million). Despite initially struggling, in 2024–25, Raphinha had his breakthrough season, being integral to Barcelona winning a domestic treble of the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de España, while also finishing as the Champions League's top scorer.

In Their Own Story

In the tunnel, the red and blue kits seemed to pulse with a life of their own. Messi, eyes locked on the pitch, tightened his captain's armband. Beside him, Suárez offered a quiet word of steel; Neymar bounced on his toes, a coiled spring of kinetic energy ready to explode. When the referee blew the whistle, the roar that followed felt less like noise and more like a physical force. Rakitić struck first, igniting the stadium, but the team knew the script wasn't finished. They moved as a single fluid organism, weaving through Juventus' defense until Suárez and Neymar delivered the final strokes of artistry. As the final whistle blew, history didn't just happen; it was carved into eternity in gold.

Reader's Guide

Raphinha was born in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and grew up in Restinga, a favela. He participated in várzea tournaments until age 18. After unsuccessful trials with Internacional and Grêmio, he started youth football with Imbituba and was later scouted by Avaí. He signed for Vitória de Guimarães in 2016, then Sporting CP in 2018, Rennes in 2019, Leeds United in 2020, and Barcelona in 2022. He made his senior international debut in 2021 and was part of Brazil's squads at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, 2024 Copa América, and 2026 World Cup.

Did You Know?

• Raphinha scored 18 goals during 43 games in the 2017–18 Primeira Liga season for Vitória de Guimarães.
• He was scouted at the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior by Deco, who signed him to his agency D20 Sports.
• Raphinha's transfer to Rennes was a club record fee of around €21 million.
• He scored the winning goal for Leeds United in a 1–0 away win over Everton on 28 November 2020, securing Leeds' first Premier League win at Goodison Park since 1990.
• In the 2024–25 season, Raphinha finished as the Champions League's top scorer.