Raphinha joined Barcelona from Leeds in 2022
Raphinha has been described as a "hero" and a "game-changer" by Spanish press after his two goals helped Barcelona beat Real Madrid on Sunday to earn a fourth consecutive Super Cup win.
It marks a shift in perception for a player whose first years at the club were defined by uncertainty.
When the Brazilian arrived from Leeds United in July 2022, he delivered flashes of quality but his play was inconsistent. For much of his first two seasons, Raphinha was rotated frequently and often introduced from the bench. In that period, he made 11 substitute appearances and started just 42 of a possible 76 matches.
"There was a lot of self-doubt," Raphinha said when reflecting on his first season at the club. "I have a nasty habit of criticising myself heavily, so that pressure made me think about leaving."
