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Raphinha emerges as key player for Barcelona in 2026 season

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 3, 2026, 2:00 PM

Last updated Oct 3, 2026

Raphinha emerges as key player for Barcelona in 2026 season

Summary

Barcelona's 2026/27 season has seen Raphinha step up as a primary attacking force. With 14 goals and three assists in just eight matches, he has outperformed the club's initial targets, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, who combined for four goals. As the competition for the center-forward position intensifies, Raphinha has turned doubts about his role into confidence, making him crucial to Hansi Flick's plans. The team's strategy shifted unexpectedly as they look to navigate life post-Robert Lewandowski without a natural No. 9 on the roster. Raphinha's contributions have made signing another forward less pressing for the club.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Raphinha has scored 14 goals and assisted three in eight matches.
•Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez have only four goals combined.
•Barcelona has no natural number 9 following Ferran Torres' departure.
•Raphinha has proven vital in Hansi Flick's attacking setup.
•Interest in Raphinha had earlier waned due to transfer speculation.

Latest Updates

2:00 PMYahoo Sports — Forget Plan A or Plan B: Raphinha is making Barcelona’s Plan C look even better

What they're saying

"
Barcelona entered the season with a major question hanging over the centre-forward position: who would eventually replace Robert Lewandowski?Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, Barcelona’s Plan A a...
— Yahoo Sports

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