Raphinha, the embodiment of a leader | OneFootball

Raphinha embodied leadership as Barcelona won the Supercopa in Saudi Arabia. He struck twice in the final, after also scoring two in the semi-final against Athletic, and Joan Garcia made seven saves.

El Periódico Mediterráneo writes that his influence was everywhere, from defending team-mates to setting the tone. After 15 minutes he chased down Vinicius and forced a corner, celebrating it like a goal.

He was first to remonstrate when Lamine Yamal took a blow to the ankle from Carreras, then returned when Asencio kicked Pedri, a flashback to Sergio Ramos on Leo Messi in Mourinho’s era, taking a shove from Valverde. He is one of the squad’s five captains, though it remains curious that Frenkie de Jong precedes him with the armband.

Moments after missing a chance, he opened the scoring, leaving Courtois on the turf for 1-0. Later he even diverted a goalbound effort with his dreadlocks, but the move continued and Gonzalo levelled for 2-2. Raphinha then made it 3-2 with his right foot, slipping as the shot glanced off Asencio.

He was named the tournament’s MVP. Pedri felt the winger gives the team a lot, said he was undervalued last season and called him a star for the squad.

Joan Garcia, in his first Barça match against Madrid, stayed calm late on, even if those final efforts lacked power. Raphinha went off three minutes from time, spent, then said luck follows hard work and that his celebration sunglasses are a superstition.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo