Barcelona superstar backed for Ballon d’Or by national team captain – ‘Always offers right words’ | OneFootball

Raphinha has firmly established himself as a key figure, not only for Barcelona but also for the Brazilian national team.

The winger is currently experiencing the best season of his professional career, delivering performances that have caught the attention of both fans and football experts.

Within the Brazil squad, his contributions have not gone unnoticed. Marquinhos, the team’s captain, has acknowledged Raphinha’s impact, both in terms of his performances and the mentality he brings to the group.

According to the Paris Saint-Germain defender, those within the national team setup have long been aware of Raphinha’s abilities, but now the wider footballing world is starting to see his true potential.

“Raphinha is a phenomenon. Now everyone sees his potential and everything he can do, something that we already saw internally in the national team.

“We already saw how important he is, his effort, his mentality and his leadership,” he began saying.

Praising Raphinha’s leadership

Marquinhos praised Raphinha. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

One of the standout qualities that define Raphinha is his commitment to both attacking and defensive duties.

He is not just a player who excels in creating chances or scoring goals; he also plays with an intense level of responsibility, making sure he contributes to every aspect of the game.

A prime example of his leadership came during Brazil’s recent victory over Colombia. As the match neared its end, Raphinha was seen instructing Vinicius Jr. to leave the field promptly after being substituted.

His concern was that any delay could result in a yellow card for time-wasting, which would have ruled Vinicius out of the crucial upcoming match against Argentina.

“He is very intelligent and always offers the right words. He conveyed that when he fouled Vini and showed himself to be a leader and a possible captain. He did that because he thought of the group first,” Marquinhos added.

Ballon d’Or endorsement

Marquinhos endorsed Raphinha for Ballon d’Or. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Marquinhos believes that if Raphinha continues at this level for the remainder of the season, he will be in contention for football’s biggest individual awards.

His performances have already put him in the spotlight, and should he maintain this form, he could find himself among the frontrunners for the Ballon d’Or.

“These are things that weren’t seen on the outside, but people were already seeing them on the inside.

“If he continues at the same level from now until the end of the season, he has a good chance of being among the top contenders to win the Ballon d’Or,” he added.

Source: Mundo Deportivo