Rafinha... The Key to Barcelona's Recovery After Returning from Injury
FC Barcelona has regained their winning form in La Liga since their loss to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Much of the credit for this recovery goes to the 29-year-old Brazilian Rafinha, who made a strong comeback after missing nine matches due to injury, according to the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.
During Rafinha's absence, the team felt a loss of energy, competitiveness, and leadership in crucial moments, as well as a shortage of goals. Since his return, the player has made up for this, shining clearly in the match against Osasuna and contributing to Barcelona's decisive 2-0 victory.
In the match, Rafinha broke the deadlock in the 70th minute after a pass from Pedri, advancing and firing a powerful shot to the left of the goalkeeper to score the first goal. Three minutes before the end, he scored a second goal to secure the team's victory and reinforce the growth in his performance since returning from injury.
Symbolically, Rafinha has scored 60 goals for Barcelona, matching the club legend Johan Cruyff and ranking 43rd on the club's all-time top scorers list. He achieved this in 157 matches compared to Cruyff's 180 matches.
This season, Rafinha has scored 6 goals and provided 3 assists in 14 matches, despite missing nine games. His goal rate of 0.42 goals per match is approaching last season's 0.59. If he maintains this level, he could reach 88 goals with Barcelona, bringing him close to equaling Ronald Koeman and surpassing several club legends.
During Rafinha's absence, the team felt a loss of energy, competitiveness, and leadership in crucial moments, as well as a shortage of goals. Since his return, the player has made up for this, shining clearly in the match against Osasuna and contributing to Barcelona's decisive 2-0 victory.
In the match, Rafinha broke the deadlock in the 70th minute after a pass from Pedri, advancing and firing a powerful shot to the left of the goalkeeper to score the first goal. Three minutes before the end, he scored a second goal to secure the team's victory and reinforce the growth in his performance since returning from injury.
Symbolically, Rafinha has scored 60 goals for Barcelona, matching the club legend Johan Cruyff and ranking 43rd on the club's all-time top scorers list. He achieved this in 157 matches compared to Cruyff's 180 matches.
This season, Rafinha has scored 6 goals and provided 3 assists in 14 matches, despite missing nine games. His goal rate of 0.42 goals per match is approaching last season's 0.59. If he maintains this level, he could reach 88 goals with Barcelona, bringing him close to equaling Ronald Koeman and surpassing several club legends.