Barcelona Star Raphinha retains La Liga Player of the Month Award After Goal Rush
Barcelona winger Raphinha has been named La Liga Player of the Month for September, retaining the award after also winning the August edition.
The Brazilian has carried his remarkable club form into the international stage, producing influential performances for Brazil before being released from the squad after sustaining a minor thigh injury.
Raphinha provided the assist for Brazil’s late equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Australia before scoring from the penalty spot in the return meeting, a 4-2 victory for the South Americans.
His second appearance ended at half-time after he felt discomfort in his right thigh. Medical tests subsequently revealed a small muscle oedema, prompting the Brazilian Football Confederation to release him from the squad as a precaution and allow him to return to Barcelona for treatment.
That international spell added another dimension to a start that has already made Raphinha one of the most productive attackers in Europe.
For Barcelona, the winger has scored 12 goals in seven La Liga appearances, putting him at the top of the league’s scoring chart. He also recorded nine goal contributions in four league games during September alone, with seven goals and two assists.
The numbers explain why the monthly award has followed him from August into September, but his Brazil performances have shown that his influence has not been limited to Barcelona.
Raphinha now returns to Catalonia with his second consecutive La Liga Player of the Month award and a growing goal-scoring record behind him, although his immediate priority will be recovering fully from the thigh problem.
