Barcelona star stakes fresh Ballon d’Or claim with heroics in last-gasp win over Benfica | OneFootball

A leading member of the attacking ranks at La Liga giants Barcelona has on Tuesday again seen his name linked with the Ballon d’Or.

This comes owing to developments in Barcelona’s meeting with Benfica.

Hansi Flick’s troops are of course fresh off the most remarkable of comeback victories.

After looking dead and buried in a two-goal hole during the 2nd-half of a Champions League showdown with Portuguese heavyweights Benfica, the Blaugrana rose from the ashes in spectacular fashion.

First, Robert Lewandowski pulled one back from the penalty spot, before Eric García levelled things up inside the final five minutes.

And there was still time for one final twist in the tale, as Raphinha broke free deep into injury-time, to dance his way inside before slotting home a fine finish.

This came as the Brazilian’s 2nd of the night, amid yet another standout performance in what has been nothing short of a sensational individual campaign.

So much so that, on the back of his latest heroics on Tuesday, calls for the former Leeds United man to be recognised as a legitimate contender for the next Ballon d’Or have begun to mount:

Conor Laird – GSFN