Rodri has revealed that Raphinha is the player who has surprised him the most at Barcelona and says the Brazilian initially told him he didn’t want to play as a No. 9.
Raphinha has switched position this summer following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres and has been an instant hit.
The Barca skipper has 14 goals already in all competitions, with Rodri in awe of his new team-mate and surprised that he is not in contention for the Ballon d’Or.
“They [Pedri and Raphinha] deserve to
be there. It is difficult to understand that they are not there,” he told Cope.
“I freaked out with Raphinha, he told me that he didn’t like to play as a nine and now he’s delighted. He’s the player who has surprised me the most.”
Raphinha’s absence from the Ballon d’Or shortlist has surprised many already, with the Brazilian currently looking like the best player in the world due to his stunning early-season form.
