All of the best players at FC Barcelona aim to be just as successful with their national teams. It is only natural for footballers to always keep high aspirations for themselves to continue growing. However, for a player who also happens to represent Barcelona, those expectations and aspirations are justifiably high.
However, in the world of football, there is a clear line drawn between club football and international football. Players who are successful at club level, even at Barcelona, do not always necessarily manage to excel at the international level. Competition at the international level is always high, and some players have to be a stepping stone for others to succeed.
Yet, that is something that just so happens to work in the favor of a certain Barcelona winger. As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, while the debate between the consistencies of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo Goes continues to grow in terms of their performances for Brazil, Barcelona winger Raphinha still manages to perform as good as the better of the two.
Despite both Vinicius and Rodrygo finding great success at Real Madrid, their compatriot over at Barcelona offers better consistency for Brazil. Across his 31 appearances for Brazil, Vinicius Jr has only managed to score 3 goals. The player who is currently getting shouts for the Ballon d’Or due to his performances for Real Madrid, continues to limp when it comes to the international stage.
His Real Madrid teammate Rodrygo and Barcelona rival Raphinha, however, have already managed to double his tally in 7 fewer games. Both players have 6 goals each for Brazil in 24 appearances, also the exact same. Their consistency for the national team seems to far outshine that of Vinicius, despite the latter having done better for himself at club level last season.
With the Copa America currently going on, and Brazil still being unable to find their best version, there are no shortages of conflicts within the South American team. Some less-than-encouraging words from former Barcelona and Brazil icon Ronaldinho were also jarring to hear, despite his antics and agenda behind them later on.
As it stands, the Brazilians are seemingly falling behind eternal rivals Argentina, who are led by another former Barcelona player and timeless icon Lionel Messi. With Neymar Jr no longer there to represent Brazil either, the team seems to have lost their way. However, this current pairing of Barcelona and Real Madrid forwards clearly has a divide between the better performers and the less-than-ideal ones.
