Barcelona superstar hailed as perfect role model by Feyenoord standout

Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao has expressed his admiration for Barcelona star Raphinha, highlighting the Brazilian forward as a source of inspiration. 

Paixao, who is also enjoying an impressive season, sees Raphinha as a role model for aspiring Brazilian footballers aiming to reach the highest level of the game.

“Raphinha is an example for me and all of us Brazilians,” the 24-year-old told TNT Sports Brazil.

Raphinha is flourishing

Raphinha has truly flourished under Hansi Flick this season, delivering his most productive season since joining Barcelona. His performances have elevated him into the ranks of the best players in European football this year. 

With Flick’s approach, Raphinha has taken his game to another level, showcasing his ability not only as a goal scorer but also as a key playmaker in Barcelona’s attacking system.

The winger has been a major driving force in Barcelona’s attack, making significant contributions across all competitions. 

So far, he has racked up an impressive 24 goals and 15 assists in LaLiga, the Champions League, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup combined. 

In LaLiga alone, Raphinha has netted 13 times, making him the third-highest scorer in the competition. Only Robert Lewandowski, with 19 goals, and Kylian Mbappe, with 15, have managed to score more.

Surpassing the legend

His overall contributions to Barcelona continue to grow, with his tally now standing at 44 goals and 40 assists in 122 appearances. With this level of performance, he is edging closer to breaking into the club’s all-time top-five Brazilian goalscorers. 

He is now just three goals away from surpassing the legendary Ronaldo Nazario, who scored 47 times for Barça. 

Meanwhile, Paixao is also having a strong season with Feyenoord. Although he has not been as prolific as Raphinha in terms of goals, scoring eight times, his playmaking abilities have been outstanding. 

He has already provided 14 assists, just one short of Raphinha’s total, proving that he, too, is making an impact in his team’s attacking setup.