Football News

Rodri: Raphinha is the biggest surprise at Barcelona

September 25, 2026Pablo Navarro1 мин

Rodri, a midfielder for Barcelona, has identified Raphinha as the player who has most impressed him with his abilities since joining the club.

Raphinha himself has had a remarkable start to the current season. Given the captain's armband and a central role in Hansi Flick's attack, the Brazilian has recorded 17 goal contributions in just eight matches.

This impressive performance has not gone unnoticed by one of the key new additions to Barcelona's first team this past summer.

In a recent interview with COPE, Rodri was asked which new teammate had surprised him the most since he moved from The Etihad to Camp Nou.

The 30-year-old explained, as reported by journalist Fabrizio Romano:

“Raphinha surprised me the most. I told him, ‘You used to be a winger at Leeds! Now you like playing as a No. 9, right?’ He told me, ‘I didn’t like it at first, but now I love it.’”