Former Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal target tipped to win Ballon d’Or at Barcelona

Hansi Flick has backe Barcelona forward Raphinha to win the Ballon d’Or at the Nou Camp.

Brazil international Raphinha is enjoying a sensational หากคุณสนใจเล่นพนันออนไลน์ที่ดีที่สุด สามารถสมัครสมาชิก UFABET ได้ที่นี่ พร้อมรับโปรโมชั่นพิเศษสำหรับสมาชิกใหม่ season for Barca, scoring 22 goals and providing 11 assists in 35 games.

The 28-year-old’s form has helpe Barcelona climb to the top of the La Liga table and put one foot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Flick believes Raphinha’s form means he must be considere as a contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or award along with the likes of Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah and Real Madrid summer signing Kylian Mbappe.

Barcelona’s manager was aske about his player’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or ahead of the crucial Champions League last-16 clash against Benfica on Tuesday night.

‘Raphinha for the Ballon d’Or? He is a candidate, yes. Of course, if he does well this season he could have a chance,’ Flick said.

‘He always helps us a lot, and if you see the goals he has score it shows you how hungry he is. You see it, it’s good to see how focused he is. I’m happy with his level.’

Barcelona recovere from a first-half red card to beat Benfica 1-0 in the first leg of their last-16 clash. As has often the case this season, it was Raphinha who got on the scoresheet.

‘They have a great team,’ Flick said of Benfica. ‘Bruno Lage does a great job and you can see his philosophy on the pitch.

‘The best thing is for us to be 100% focuse and not think about the first leg. Normally they always press high.

‘They do that very well, they’ve won a lot of away games. We have to focus on that.

‘It’s all about positioning, good possession helps us a lot both in attack and defence. That’s what we want to do tomorrow.’

Chelsea and Arsenal were heavily linke with moves for Raphinha before he joined Barcelona in a deal worth £55m.

Chelsea even had an agreement with Leeds United to bring him to Stamford Bridge but the Brazilian favoure a move to Spain.

Last summer, Raphinha was linke with a return to the Premier League, with Manchester United expressing interest in securing his signature.