Raphinha — Brazil World Cup 2026 Squad

Career Highlights

Raphinha's career has been defined by dramatic upward arcs followed by periods of doubt, with his Barcelona resurgence under Hansi Flick representing his most convincing peak. He rose to prominence at Sporting CP and Rennes before a £17 million move to Leeds United in 2020, where his 17 goals and 11 assists in 2021-22 made him the most productive Brazilian in Premier League history in a single season. Barcelona paid £55 million for his services, but two seasons of inconsistent output under Xavi nearly saw him leave. Flick's 2024 appointment reignited Raphinha's career, and his 2025-26 first-half numbers—17 goals and 14 assists across all competitions—put him among Europe's top wide producers.

Club Career

Born in Porto Alegre, Raphinha came through Avahy's academy before stints with Vitoria Guimaraes and Sporting CP in Portugal. His 2018-19 season at Sporting, where he registered 9 goals from the wing, attracted Rennes. In France, he contributed 8 goals and 7 assists in a single Ligue 1 campaign, prompting Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds to bring him to England. Under Bielsa and later Jesse Marsch, Raphinha became Leeds's creative fulcrum, scoring 17 goals and providing 11 assists in 2021-22 from open play and set pieces. His Barcelona move in 2022 initially frustrated—the goals dried up and his place was questioned—but starting XI appearances under Flick restored his status and output.

International Career & World Cup History

Raphinha debuted for Brazil in 2021 under Tite and was part of the 2022 World Cup squad in Qatar, starting two group matches and providing an assist against South Korea in the round of 16. He was substituted in both knockout games as Tite favored Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo on the flanks. Under Dorival Junior, Raphinha has transitioned to the right wing, reducing direct competition with Vinicius and offering a different profile—a left-footed inverted winger who cuts inside to shoot or play in teammates like Richarlison through the center. With 24 goals in 70 caps, his international strike rate has improved markedly since 2024.

World Cup 2026 Outlook

Raphinha enters the 2026 World Cup cycle as Brazil's most in-form wide player, his Barcelona performances under Flick making a compelling case for a starting berth. Dorival Junior has experimented with him on both flanks, but the right side maximizes his left foot for cutting inside—a pattern Barcelona have exploited ruthlessly. Competition from Vinicius, Rodrygo, and a rising Estevao Willian means no position is permanent, but Raphinha's pressing intensity and defensive tracking give him an edge in knockout matches where Brazil must protect leads. If his 2025-26 club form holds, he will start in North America.