FC Barcelona have several players of their own competing for their respective national teams during the ongoing international break. From academy youngsters to star signings, many stars are spread out across both European nations and South American ones as they compete in friendlies or various qualification matches.
At times, these international games are able to provide players with a breath of fresh air when club football becomes too draining and exhausting for these stars.
One particular Barcelona star who would have welcomed the international break was 26-year-old winger Raphinha, who has showcased his abilities quite well so far for Brazil.
As a reward for his goal and assist in Brazil’s recent 5-1 thrashing of Bolivia in their latest World Cup Qualifying clash, the Barcelona winger has been included in Sofascore’s South American Team of the Week following the conclusion of the first round of the WC Qualifiers.
The 26-year-old winger finds himself to be amongst the four Brazilians in that eleven, with former Barcelona hero Neymar Jr. amongst them. Raphinha was awarded with a 9.0 rating out of 10 for his performance against Bolivia, making him the fourth-highest-rated player in the team behind Neymar, Rodrygo, and de la Cruz.
Raphinha scored his goal in the 47th minute of the game as the second goal for Brazil from their 5-1 victory, with the winger receiving a sublime pass from Neymar that he then used to first open himself up to shoot with his left and proceed to drill it past the Bolivian keeper’s right.
His assist came as the final goal contribution of the game as he galloped down the right flank with the ball at his feet before dispatching an accurate pass with his weaker right foot across to Neymar Jr, returning the favor for Raphinha’s goal, which his captain calmly struck first time into the back of the net.
Brazil looks set to next take on Peru in their upcoming World Cup Qualifier game in a couple of days. Raphinha will once again hope to be a starter for his national team as he regains his confidence and displays his quality for everyone, including his Barcelona coaches, to see.
Having lost his starting position to 16-year-old Lamine Yamal at FC Barcelona in recent weeks following his suspension on Matchday 1 during Barca’s clash with Getafe, this recent Team of the Week inclusion will surely be a great morale booster for the former Leeds United winger.
