Barcelona captain finds his best version in a position he never originally liked | OneFootball

Competition is what drives the players of FC Barcelona, and that has always been the case. For any top club in the world, only the very best of players are worth it, and such players rise up on the big stage. Those that are unable to perform in those moments are of no use to Barcelona.

Perhaps during the summer transfer window, Brazilian forward Raphinha would have felt that his own place at the club was in jeopardy. With Barcelona heavily linked to Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, it could have potentially spelled the end for Raphinha’s stay at the Catalan club.

Fast-forward to today, several months later, and Raphinha is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world. Beyond just the fact that his form has been excellent and consistent, he now dons the Barcelona captain’s armband and almost always shows up in the big games.

Interestingly, however, he has managed to do so in a position that he originally never liked to play in. As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, it is as the team’s primary left winger that the former Leeds United forward has found his best version yet since the beginning of his professional career.

This season alone, he has managed to score as many goals as he managed to in the last two seasons combined. Furthermore, he is also getting a lot of assists, meaning that his creativity has not taken any kind of hits either. In fact, compared to when he played as a right-winger, the Brazilian is now finding much better luck in terms of thwarting opposition goalkeepers.

It seems that playing on his dominant foot is working in his favor, and he gets to take a go at opposition goalkeepers without having to cut inside onto his dominant foot. Moreover, he has shown time and time again this season that he has no problem in making use of his weaker right foot as well.

Ultimately, perhaps the biggest credit to his incredible season so far is the fact that he shows up in the big games. Goals against Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid in both La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, and the list goes on. He has led the team through his quality and personality, and any doubts about his place at Barcelona are now long gone.

While Lamine Yamal will continue to play as the team’s primary right-winger for years to come if things go according to plan, Raphinha has found his place in a position that he did not originally even like. Naturally a right-winger, it would seem that the Brazilian has now unlocked a completely new version of himself, and perhaps it is for the best.