Raphinha, The Art of Defending the Forward

Raised in perpetual poverty, Raphinha overcame many obstacles to become a professional footballer. Skilled as a striker, Raphinha also has impressive defensive abilities. He showed his defensive skills while going through the hardships of life

Barcelona officially secured the 29th La Liga title after defeating Espanyol 2-0 in the Catalan Derby at the RCDE Stadium, Friday (16/5/2025) early morning WIB. Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez broke the deadlock and became the heroes of Barca's victory with their goals in the second half. Although he did not score in the title-deciding match, Raphinha played a significant role in Barca's success in winning three domestic titles: the Supercopa de España, the Copa del Rey, and La Liga.

The Brazilian winger is the heart of Barca's game under the guidance of coach Hansi Flick. Together with Yamal, who operates on the left wing, Raphinha forms a terrifying combination in Barca's front line. Although both possess the ability to break through the opponent's block and make a difference in the final outcome of the match, Raphinha's experience or playing time makes him a more complete figure compared to Yamal.

This season, Raphinha has become the player with the most goal involvement at Barca, totaling 27. This figure includes 18 goals and nine assists. Raphinha's achievement can only be matched by striker Robert Lewandowski, who has the same number of goal involvements as Raphinha.

Nevertheless, Raphinha's presence is more pronounced due to his frequent scoring in crucial moments. One such instance was when he scored two goals against Real Madrid in Barcelona's 4-3 victory. This win also became an important momentum for Barcelona in clinching the championship title as it widened the gap with Real at the top of the standings.

From being previously underestimated, Raphinha has transformed into the heart of Barca's attack. He had contemplated leaving this season following Barca's plans to acquire winger Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao. However, the arrival of Flick changed Raphinha's plans. The German tactician convinced Raphinha to stay while also making him feel needed by the team.

"He has changed everything for me. I was almost leaving the club before the season started, but the coach was very important in changing my mind and making me stay at the club. He placed his trust in me to do what I can do. I am having the best season in football and I owe everything to him," said Raphinha, whose real name is Raphael Dias Belloli.

In addition to Flick, there are two figures who play a crucial role in the continuation of Raphinha's spectacular career. One of these figures is Raphinha's mother. Like most Brazilian footballers, Raphinha was born into a family of modest means. He was born in Restinga, a favela or impoverished area far from the city of Porto Alegre. Since the age of seven, Raphinha has made football his path in life. He decided not to continue his education in order to realize his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

He placed his trust in me to do what I could do. I am having the best season in football and I owe everything to him.

The first step to becoming a professional football player is to join a local club academy in Brazil. However, this effort is quite challenging considering Brazil's abundant football talent. To enter an academy, a player must compete with hundreds of other children. Raphinha repeatedly attempted to join top clubs' academies such as Internacional and Gremio.

He failed many times in the selection process. Despite his excellent technique, Raphinha's posture was considered too small and weak.

Players who fail to enter the academy usually participate in varzea tournaments to make a living. Varzea refers to regional level tournaments, similar to tarkam in Indonesia, but with a significantly higher level of violence. Footballers from various regions in Brazil can play from one varzea to another. They are not contracted but are paid at will.

The field is also very inadequate, consisting of dust and sand rather than grass. The goalposts are not equipped with nets, and the players wear uniforms without jersey numbers.

"The players (in the varzea) are outcasts. They play with anger. They play to survive. They play as if their lives depend on the varzea," said Raphinha.

After being repeatedly rejected from the academy, Raphinha was once involved in a varzea tournament. Raphinha experienced a terrifying incident when the door to his team's changing room was struck violently. From outside, a group of people shouted threats to kill Raphinha and his teammates if they won the match.

Despite being tough, varzea helped shape Raphinha's personality, who was never afraid to play in front of opposing supporters. "I'm still very proud of having played in so many varzea tournaments. And honestly, I loved it. Those matches made me so tough. When I play now, I want to be booed. I want pressure and intimidation. That's what keeps me going," said Raphinha, quoted from The Players Tribune.

"That is why I always say that if you can play in a varzea match, then you are trained to play anywhere. A major European final? It doesn't matter. A stadium with 90,000 people? Go ahead," he continued.

While participating in the varzea tournament, Raphinha continued to seek his fortune by applying to other academies. He eventually succeeded in becoming part of a small club's academy, Avai. The distance from Porto Alegre to Avai's headquarters is approximately a six-hour journey to the north.

Joining the academy does not signify the end of Raphinha's career journey. There, he must strive to showcase his best abilities in order to attract the attention of larger clubs. Furthermore, the academy will dismiss players who do not demonstrate significant progress.

After several years with the Avai academy, Raphinha suffered a serious injury. He also found himself not being the first choice for the coach on several occasions. This situation led him to consider giving up and returning to his hometown.

In his cramped room, Raphinha sat in contemplation. His thoughts were chaotic. He then decided to call his parents and vent his frustrations. "I told them that I was fed up. I want to go home. I am done," he said.

However, Raphinha's mother encouraged him by saying that difficult times will eventually pass. If he does not pursue his dream of becoming a footballer, Raphinha has no other options. Having aspired to be a professional footballer, Raphinha did not complete his education. If he gives up, it means that his chances of survival would only be available through working as a supermarket employee or a barber.

Receiving a "magical voice" from his mother, Raphinha felt he had come too far to turn back. He then worked hard to recover from his injury and continue his career at the academy. From there, Raphinha caught the attention of the Portuguese club academy, Guimaraes B. His career continued to flourish as he broke into the first team. Raphinha then moved to Sporting CP and spread his wings by joining the French club, Stade Rennais.

That is why I always say that if you can play in a varzea match, then you are trained to play anywhere.

Raphinha's talent began to attract the attention of major European clubs due to his frequent role as a game-changer. Offers from big clubs started to come in. Marcelo Bielsa was the first to show interest in Raphinha's talent. Bielsa then brought Raphinha to Leeds United, and from there, his career continued to flourish.

In Portugal, first with Vitoria Guimaraes and then with Sporting, he demonstrated his ability to outmaneuver defenders and create opportunities, while at Rennes he proved that he could be a game changer.

Under Bielsa's guidance, Raphinha developed an extraordinary physical endurance, allowing him to maintain his explosive playing style. Additionally, his off-the-ball movement improved significantly. From Bielsa, Raphinha learned the intensity of pressing and how to move intelligently without the ball.

Raphinha's sharpness has increased since joining Barca under Flick. Previously sidelined during the Xavi Hernandez era, Flick has honed Raphinha's skills, particularly in the importance of making smarter decisions, knowing when to dribble, and when to pass. Flick's more direct playing style also suits him well. Ultimately, Raphinha led Barcelona to secure three domestic titles in a single season.

Raphinha has indeed become one of the best wingers in the world. However, considering the arduous struggle he has faced in pursuing his dream of becoming a footballer, it seems that Raphinha's primary ability is not in attacking, but rather in enduring all kinds of life's challenges that have come his way.

Born: Porto Alegre, Brazil, December 14, 1996

Height: 1.76 m

Position: Winger

Clubs: Vitória de Guimarães, Sporting CP, Rennes, Leeds United, Barcelona

National Team: Brazil National Team (33)

Achievements: Spanish Super Cup (2), Copa del Rey, La Liga (2)