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3 weeks ago
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Barcelona forward Raphinha has been nothing short of spectacular this season. His remarkable performances have drawn admiration and, with El Clasico just around the corner, it is natural to compare him with another Brazilian standout, Vinicius Jr.
Both players have established themselves as indispensable assets to their respective teams, yet their seasons have unfolded in different ways.
Vinicius Jr., widely regarded as one of Real Madrid’s top stars, perhaps even more prominent than other big names like Kylian Mbappe or Jude Bellingham, did not start the season with his typical spark.
However, he has quickly bounced back and reclaimed his place as a critical player for Madrid.
Meanwhile, Raphinha has enjoyed a breakthrough under Barcelona’s new manager, Hansi Flick, stepping up to become one of the most impressive players in European football so far.
The Brazilian has flourished, showing not only skill but a noticeable improvement in his understanding of the game.
While Vinicius has always been a reliable presence for Real Madrid, Raphinha’s rise has been a more surprising development, given his fluctuating performances in previous seasons.
What do the numbers say?
Raphinha has been a revelation for Barcelona this season. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)
When looking at their performances statistically, Raphinha currently has a slight edge. He has scored 9 goals and contributed 6 assists across 13 games this season.
In comparison, Vinicius has netted 8 goals and provided 5 assists in 14 matches. While these figures are close, they underline how crucial Raphinha has been in Barcelona’s overall play, contributing heavily to both scoring and creating chances.
One area where the Real Madrid forward has a noticeable advantage is in speed. He has clocked a top speed of 35.4 km/h this season, slightly ahead of Raphinha’s 33.4 km/h.
However, Raphinha compensates for this with his high work rate and overall distance covered on the pitch. In Champions League matches, Raphinha averages 10.5 kilometres per game, while Vinicius covers 9.5 kilometres.
This extra distance shows Raphinha’s commitment and his role in tracking back and participating in defensive actions, making him a well-rounded player.
Offensive attributes
Vinicius Jr. has picked up the pace. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images)
Both players are key offensive figures in their squads and take similar numbers of shots each game. Vinicius averages 2.5 shots per game, while Raphinha has a slightly higher average at 2.6.
Despite this similarity, the style of play for each player differs significantly when it comes to creating threats for the opposition.
Vinicius, a classic dribbler, executes an average of 3.9 dribbles per game. However, this season he has only created 4 big chances for his teammates.
Raphinha, on the other hand, is not as prolific in dribbling, averaging 1.6 per game, but he excels at creating scoring opportunities, with 14 major chances generated for his teammates so far.
Defensive attributes
Defensively, Raphinha outshines Vinicius quite clearly. His commitment to helping the team on the defensive end is visible through his statistics, as he averages 1.4 tackles, 2.9 ball recoveries, and 0.5 clearances per game.
Raphinha is much more reliable defensively. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
These numbers show that Raphinha’s work rate is not limited to the attacking side of the game; he actively contributes to Barcelona’s efforts to regain possession and maintain structure.
Vinicius, while not absent on the defensive side, falls short of these numbers, with an average of 1 tackle, 2.3 recoveries, and no clearances per game.
In summary, Raphinha and Vinicius Jr. each bring their own unique qualities to the pitch. Raphinha’s evolution this season has made him one of Barcelona’s most valuable players, showing both offensive and defensive strengths that enhance his role in Hansi Flick’s system.
Vinicius, on the other hand, remains a key figure for Real Madrid, embodying raw speed and dribbling skills that make him a constant threat in the final third.
However, Raphinha’s exceptional all-around contribution to the team, from chance creation to defensive commitment, suggests he may have a slight advantage at this point in the season.
