Brazilian winger Raphinha was the standout star of the 2026 Spanish Super Cup final, earning glowing praise from Spanish media after leading Barcelona to a 3–2 victory over Real Madrid. The forward scored two decisive goals in El Clásico and played a central role in securing the first trophy of the season for the Catalan club.
Spanish Press Applaud Raphinha’s Performance
Raphinha’s performance dominated headlines across Spain. The Brazilian featured on the front pages of several major sports newspapers, including Madrid-based outlet Marca, which openly acknowledged his impact despite Barcelona’s victory over their local rivals.
Marca described the winger as a “sheikh”, referencing the spectacle he delivered on Saudi Arabian soil, and posed a provocative question: “Could Raphinha be the most undervalued player in world football?”
Meanwhile, Mundo Deportivo journalist Gabriel Sans highlighted the historical parallel with the 2025 Super Cup, when Barcelona also defeated Real Madrid with two goals from Raphinha. According to the publication, the Brazilian “repeated the feat” on the biggest stage once again.
Raphinha’s Numbers in El Clásico Impress
Raphinha continues to build an impressive record in El Clásico. He now has seven goals in 12 matches against Real Madrid, with eight wins and only four defeats in those appearances.
The winger has also been named Man of the Match in both the 2024/25 and 2025/26 Spanish Super Cup finals, underlining his influence in decisive encounters.
Among Brazilian players in El Clásico history, Raphinha ranks second-highest scorer, behind only Vinícius Júnior. While Vini Jr has eight goals in 24 matches (0.33 goals per game), Raphinha boasts a superior average of 0.58 goals per match.
Strong Season Form and Barcelona’s Dominance
Raphinha’s Super Cup heroics reflect his excellent form this season. The Brazilian has recorded 11 goals and four assists in 17 appearances, becoming one of Barcelona’s most consistent attacking threats under Hansi Flick.
With the Super Cup title secured, Barcelona further extended their dominance in the competition. The Catalan giants now have 16 Spanish Super Cup trophies, compared to 13 for Real Madrid.
In La Liga, Barcelona currently sit at the top of the table with 49 points, holding a four-point lead over Real Madrid, and are firmly targeting a second consecutive league title.
Upcoming Matches
Barcelona
- Racing Santander (A) – 15/01, 5:00 PM (Brasília time) – Copa del Rey – Disney+
- Real Sociedad (A) – 18/01, 5:00 PM – La Liga – Disney+
- Slavia Prague (A) – 21/01, 5:00 PM – Champions League
Real Madrid
- Albacete (A) – 14/01, 5:00 PM – Copa del Rey – Disney+
- Levante (H) – 17/01, 10:00 AM – La Liga – Disney+
- Monaco (H) – 20/01, 5:00 PM – Champions League
With performances like this, Raphinha continues to cement his status as one of Barcelona’s most decisive players—and one of the most underrated stars in European football.
