Raphinha has shone for Barcelona with goals and assists this season; Brazilian National Team player equals Neymar’s record.
Raphinha shone and led the epic comeback of leader Barcelona against Celta de Vigo in the Spanish Championship. With two goals and one assist in the game this Saturday (19/4), the number 11 reached 51 goal participations in the season, equaling Neymar‘s best mark in European football and is the first Brazilian to surpass the sum of 50 participations since the 2015/16 season.
From marketable to tipped for the Ballon d’Or, Raphinha is having a magical season: he has already scored 30 goals and provided 21 assists with the blue and maroon jersey in the 2024/25 season. The Brazilian equaled Neymar’s best season in European football, wearing the same number 11 shirt for Barcelona in 2015/16, when he scored 30 goals and provided 21 assists.
Neymar, however, was not the last Brazilian to surpass 50 goal participations in Europe. In the same 2015/16 season, Jonas was the best Brazilian on European soil. Playing for Benfica, he reached 54 goals and assists combined. From Jonas to Raphinha, no other Brazilian reached 50 goals and assists combined in a single season.
In the century, the best season by a Brazilian player in Europe is Jardel, who scored 55 goals and eight assists in the 2001/02 season, playing for Sporting. Besides Jardel, and now Raphinha, only Hulk, Jonas and Neymar have surpassed 50 goal participations by a Brazilian player in a single season in Europe. Raphinha will have at least nine more games until the end of the season – ten if he reaches the Champions League final – to extend his record.
LIST OF BRAZILIANS WITH THE MOST GOAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN EACH EUROPEAN SEASON SINCE 2000
2023/24 – Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid): 37 goal involvements – 25 goals and 12 assists
2022/23 – Neymar (PSG): 35 goal involvements – 18 goals and 17 assists
2021/22 – Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid): 41 goal involvements – 22 goals and 19 assists
2020/21 – Carlos Júnior (Santa Clara): 20 goal involvements – 16 goals and 4 assists
2019/20 – Carlos Vinícius (Benfica): 37 goal involvements – 24 goals and 13 assists
2018/19 – Neymar (PSG): 36 goal involvements – 23 goals and 13 assists
2017/18 – Jonas (Benfica): 43 goal involvements – 37 goals and 6 assists
2016/17 – Neymar (Barcelona): 46 goal involvements – 20 goals and 26 assists
2015/16 – Jonas (Benfica): 54 goal involvements – 36 goals and 18 assists
2014/15 – Neymar (Barcelona): 49 goal involvements – 39 goals and 10 assists
2013/14 – Firmino (Hoffenheim): 38 goal involvements – 22 goals and 16 assists
2012/13 – Lima (Benfica): 40 goal involvements – 30 goals and 10 assists
2011/12 – Nenê (PSG): 45 goal involvements – 27 goals and 18 assists
2010/11 – Hulk (Porto): 62 goal involvements – 35 goals and 27 assists
2009/10 – Ronaldinho (Milan): 34 goal involvements – 15 goals and 19 assists
2008/09 – Grafite (Wolfsburg): 45 goal involvements – 35 goals and 10 assists
2007/08 – Luís Fabiano (Sevilla): 37 goal involvements – 33 goals and 4 assists
2006/07 – Ronaldinho (Barcelona): 38 goal involvements – 24 goals and 14 assists
2005/06 – Ronaldinho (Barcelona): 49 goal involvements – 26 goals and 23 assists
2004/05 – Marcelinho Paraíba (Hertha Berlin): 32 goal involvements – 19 goals and 13 assists
2003/04 – Aílton (Werder Bremen): 43 goal involvements – 34 goals and 9 assists
2002/03 – Ronaldo (Real Madrid): 37 goal involvements – 29 goals and 8 assists
2001/02 – Jardel (Sporting): 63 goal involvements – 55 goals and 8 assists
2000/01 – Rivaldo (Barcelona): 46 goal involvements – 36 goals and 10 assists
