Watch: Raphinha picks his top 5 Brazilian players in Barcelona history | OneFootball

Despite being sidelined with injury, Raphinha continues to remain firmly in the media spotlight, and his latest appearance has once again sparked conversation among Barcelona supporters. 

Only a day after confidently stating that he believes he can win the Ballon d’Or in the future, the Barça captain took part in a feature with ESPN Brazil, where he was asked to select the five greatest Brazilian players in Barcelona’s history. 

What followed was a list that reflects both admiration and personal conviction.

Who did he choose?

To begin the ranking, Raphinha did not hesitate long before naming Neymar as his number one choice. 

Rather than building up from the bottom like most countdowns do, he went straight to the top, explaining his decision with a moment of reflection. 

That leads to the second name on his list, who was Ronaldinho. Raphinha’s choice here is particularly striking, as Ronaldinho is widely regarded as one of the greatest entertainers football has ever seen. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ESPN Brasil (@espnbrasil)

At the start of the 21st century, he transformed Barcelona both on and off the pitch, bringing joy, creativity, and global attention back to Camp Nou. 

Yet, in Raphinha’s eyes, Neymar edges him out for the top spot.

Moving further, Raphinha selected Rivaldo as his third pick. The former Ballon d’Or winner left an unforgettable legacy during his time at Barcelona, combining elegance, power, and decisive contributions. 

Fourth place went to Romario, a player remembered as much for his brilliance as for his unpredictability. 

While his late-night lifestyle often created tension, similar to what Ronaldinho faced in his final years at Barça, Romario’s ability to change a game in an instant keeps him firmly among Brazil’s finest exports.

Finally, closing Raphinha’s top five is Ronaldo Nazario. Although he only spent one season at Barcelona, his numbers remain astonishing, having scored 47 goals and 13 assists in 49 matches across all competitions in the 1996–97 campaign. 

His performances were so extraordinary that Inter Milan moved swiftly to sign him the following year.