Raphinha talks about life at Barcelona, Ballon d’Or ambition, Yamal, Lewandowski, Neymar | OneFootball

Barcelona forward Raphinha has been in outstanding form this season, making a significant impact for both his club and the Brazilian national team.

His performances have been so impressive that he has now reached 50 goal contributions in the ongoing campaign, proving his importance in attack.

During his international duty with Brazil, Raphinha had the opportunity to sit down with legendary former Brazilian striker Romario for an in-depth conversation.

They discussed various aspects of his career, including his experience at Barcelona, his ambitions, and his thoughts on some of his teammates.

When asked about his time at Barcelona, Raphinha expressed immense joy and fulfilment.

“I am having fun at Barcelona. I can’t describe it, it’s just amazing,” he began saying.

Ballon d’Or ambitions

Raphinha is in contention to win the Ballon d’Or. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

The conversation then shifted towards personal accolades, with Romario asking if the thought of winning the Ballon d’Or had ever crossed his mind.

Raphinha admitted that it was natural for any footballer to think about such an achievement. However, he emphasised that his primary focus remains on personal goals, such as scoring, providing assists, and helping his team win titles.

“It’s only natural that it would cross my mind, and if I told you otherwise I would be lying.

“But I try to put that aside and focus on my personal goals in my career, whether in terms of scoring goals, making assists, or winning titles.

“I think if I achieve all the goals I wrote in my notebook by the end of the season, the possibility of winning an individual award will be very high.

“But I don’t like to focus too much on the Ballon d’Or or any individual award, because thinking about it too much can become a distraction,” he explained.

On Robert Lewandowski

Raphinha has nothing but admiration for Lewandowski. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Regarding his Barcelona teammate Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha had nothing but praise.

He described the Polish striker as a relentless goal scorer who possesses an exceptional ability to position himself inside the box.

“He’s a goal machine, there’s no doubt about that.

“He knows how to position himself, and it’s no coincidence that during his three seasons at Barcelona, ​​he scored more than 20 goals each season. That’s not easy at all.”

On Lamine Yamal

The discussion also included Barcelona’s young sensation Lamine Yamal. Raphinha was full of admiration for the teenager, calling him an extraordinary talent with immense potential.

Raphinha also praised Lamine Yamal. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

“He is an exceptional talent. Amazing. For me, it depends on him, but he has everything it takes to set records and win individual awards for years to come. It all depends on him.”

He believes that if Yamal remains disciplined, maintains a proper diet, and follows a structured routine, he has everything needed to break records and win major individual honours.

“Today’s football requires a lot of things, such as careful nutrition and adherence to a strict regime. If he continues to focus, which I believe he will, he can be among the best players in the world for a long time.”

Conversation with Neymar

Another interesting topic that came up was the iconic number 11 shirt. Raphinha confirmed that Neymar had spoken to him about wearing the number, as it holds a special place in Brazilian football history.

Raphinha revealed his conversation with Neymar. (Photo by Mariana Bazo/Getty Images)

When Neymar asked him about his favourite number, Raphinha immediately mentioned 11, as it had been significant to him since childhood.

“We talked about it, and he asked me what my favourite number was, and I told him it was 11 because it’s been with me since I was little and because I grew up watching Neymar and Ronaldinho wear it at the World Cup,” he noted.

Raphinha’s interview not only provided insight into his ambitions and mentality but also highlighted his admiration for his teammates and the younger generation of footballers.

His focus remains on contributing to Barcelona’s success while striving to reach new heights in his career.