November 5
Legendary Brazilian Names in the History of the Spanish Club
Brazilian player Raphinha is on the verge of signing a new contract with FC Barcelona that will run until June 30, 2030. This could allow him to write a new chapter in the history of Brazilian players at the club; should he complete this contract, he will have spent eight seasons in the *Blaugrana* jersey, making him the second longest-serving Brazilian player in the club’s history—trailing only his compatriot Dani Alves, who spent nine seasons at the club across two separate spells.
Brazilian players hold a special place in Barcelona’s history, with 46 players of that nationality having worn the Catalan side’s jersey—from goalkeeper Jaguaré Bezerra in 1931 to Gabriel Jesus in 2026. The list includes legendary figures such as Romário, Ronaldo Nazário, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and Neymar.
Raphinha’s journey at Barcelona has underscored his growing value to the team. After overcoming a difficult start following his arrival in the summer of 2022, he gradually established himself through persistence and consistent hard work, eventually becoming one of the team’s leaders. He is currently in his fifth season with the club, matching the number of seasons spent by Evaristo de Macedo, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho, according to the newspaper *Mundo Deportivo*. In 190 official matches for Barcelona, Raphinha has scored 94 goals and provided 62 assists, bringing his statistics close to those of several legendary Brazilian players who have worn the club's jersey. He is currently tied with Ronaldinho—who also scored 94 goals, though in 207 matches—while Rivaldo recorded 130 goals in 235 appearances, and Evaristo tallied 181 goals in 237 matches.
Barcelona’s desire to retain Raphinha is not based solely on his goalscoring record, but also on his versatility and ability to adapt to the team's needs. When the coaching staff, led by Hansi Flick, opted to deploy him as a center-forward—following the failure to sign Julián Álvarez—Raphinha excelled in the role, contributing 19 goals and 3 assists in just 13 matches.
Despite the lucrative financial offers Raphinha might receive—notably from clubs in the Saudi League—his continued presence at Barcelona remains the most likely outcome, given his integral role in the club’s sporting project. Should he see out his new contract until 2030, he will reach the age of 33 and have spent eight seasons with the team, marking a significant milestone—though Dani Alves’s record of 410 appearances for the club remains, for now, well beyond his reach.
