Barcelona talisman has become a shadow of his former self this season | OneFootball

Barcelona are clearly not enjoying the successful season they had last time out, when the attacking trio of Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski went close to securing a quadruple.

This time around, the revered attacking trio has splintered. While Yamal has only improved his numbers, Lewandowski has struggled to become a first-team regular, even though Joan Laporta is more than keen on securing his contract extension.

The biggest trade, however, has come in the form of Raphinha. The Barcelona captain is no longer the force he was last season.

Raphinha’s sharp drop off this season

Raphinha was Barcelona’s superhuman last season. He finished that campaign with a legendary tally of 34 goals and 26 assists.

This season, however, that clinical sensitivity has vanished; he currently sits at a more modest 15 goals and 4 assists.

Raphina is no longer the player he was last season. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Raphinha of this season lacks the final touch to beat defensive lines and the precision to place the ball in the corner of the net.

While his leadership remains intact, his impact in the final third has become a shadow of what it once was.

The primary cause for this decline appears to be a recurring battle with injuries. Raphinha has missed 13 matches this season due to physical problems, with another two missed as a precaution.

His only month of peak form came between December and the Spanish Super Cup, where he bagged braces against both Athletic Club and Real Madrid to earn the MVP award.

Unfortunately, that winter brilliance was short-lived. Physical issues returned in February, creating visible tension within the club’s medical and fitness departments.

With just a couple of months remaining before the season ends, Barcelona will hope that Raphinha can revive his lost spark.