Full Breakdown
Raphinha Named La Liga Player of the Month for August
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Award and Early-Season Impact
LALIGA announced that Brazilian winger Raphinha (Raphael Dias Belloli) received the LALIGA EA SPORTS Player of the Month award for August. The honor was decided by a vote on La Liga’s official website and came after Barcelona’s perfect domestic start—four wins from four matches. As Barcelona’s newly appointed captain, Raphinha contributed to that record with multiple goal-scoring performances against Elche, Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano, and added another goal against Valencia in September.
Data & Statistics
- Goals in La Liga (August): five goals and one assist (FC Barcelona’s club communication).
- Season total (including September): six goals and one assist (LALIGA’s summary).
- All-competition tally: eight goals in five matches, with six of those in La Liga.
- Historical note: Raphinha became the sixth Barça player to score in each of the first four league games of a season, joining legends such as César Rodríguez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Official Statements & Responses
FC Barcelona highlighted that “the fans have spoken,” emphasizing the public vote that crowned Raphinha the month’s standout performer. UEFA later placed him in its Champions League Team of the Week after a double-goal display versus Feyenoord, praising his pressing, movement between the lines and decisive runs behind the defence. The club also noted that this is Raphinha’s second La Liga Player of the Month award, the first also earned in August 2024.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact goal count: the club’s August figures (five goals) contrast with LALIGA’s season total (six goals) and Africa Soccer’s all-competition total (eight goals). None of the reports clarify whether the additional goals include Champions League matches beyond the Valencia league fixture. Further detail on the breakdown of goals across competitions remains unprovided.
Why It Matters
Raphinha’s dual recognition—league Player of the Month and UEFA Team of the Week—underscores his pivotal role in Barcelona’s early dominance, despite his omission from the Ballon d’Or shortlist. The awards highlight his influence on the team’s attacking press and suggest a strong individual contribution to Barça’s pursuit of domestic and European success this season.
