The weekend brought a wave of Brazilian brilliance to the European and South American football scenes, with star performances, record-breaking feats, and a few humbling moments for some of the game’s biggest names. From Raphinha’s historic opener for Barcelona in La Liga to Philippe Coutinho’s dazzling brace in Brazil, and Richarlison’s acrobatic double for Tottenham in the Premier League, it was a showcase of the diverse fortunes and dazzling talent of Brazilian footballers on the world stage.
Barcelona’s 2025–26 La Liga campaign began in emphatic fashion on August 16, as the Catalan giants cruised to a 3-0 victory over Mallorca at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix. The match’s opening act was written by Raphinha, who found the net just six minutes into the first half. The Brazilian winger, signed for over $70 million from Leeds United in the summer of 2022, latched onto a pinpoint cross from Lamine Yamal, heading home with composure and style.
But this was no ordinary opener. By scoring Barcelona’s first La Liga goal of the season, Raphinha achieved a feat that had eluded every Brazilian at the club for nearly two decades. The last to do so? The legendary Ronaldinho, who netted the opener for Barça on Matchday 2 of the 2007–08 season in a 3–1 win over Athletic Bilbao. Since then, a parade of Brazilian stars—most notably Neymar, who dazzled at Camp Nou from 2013 to 2017 as part of the iconic trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez—had come and gone without matching Ronaldinho’s mark.
Other Brazilian luminaries like Philippe Coutinho, Dani Alves, Paulinho, and Arthur all donned the Blaugrana shirt in the intervening years. Yet, none managed to score the club’s opening La Liga goal of a season. Raphinha’s strike, then, was more than just an early lead—it was a symbolic nod to his growing stature in Barcelona’s storied Brazilian lineage.
Raphinha’s impact since arriving in Spain has been nothing short of impressive. In his first three seasons, he has notched 54 goals in 144 appearances across domestic and European competitions, living up to the hefty expectations that accompanied his transfer from Leeds. Under the guidance of new head coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona appear to have discovered a potent attacking formula, with Raphinha on the left, Lamine Yamal on the right, and Robert Lewandowski spearheading the attack. The chemistry was evident against Mallorca, as Barcelona’s front three looked sharp, fluid, and full of menace.
With the Ballon d’Or ceremony looming on September 22 in Paris, Raphinha’s name features among the 30 finalists announced by France Football on August 12, 2025. He’s joined on the prestigious list by teammates Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Pedri. While Yamal is widely tipped as Barcelona’s best hope for the trophy, Raphinha’s continued excellence keeps him firmly in the conversation, even if the competition is fierce with names like Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe also vying for the honor.
Meanwhile, back in Brazil, another chapter unfolded as Philippe Coutinho led Vasco da Gama to a historic 6-0 rout of Santos at the MorumBIS stadium on August 17. In a match billed as a reunion of former Brazil teammates, Coutinho upstaged Neymar with a scintillating brace, orchestrating a dominant performance that left Santos reeling from their worst-ever defeat in the Brazilian Serie A. The result was a stark reminder of the highs and lows that can come with football’s unpredictable script.
Coutinho, who once shone in Europe with Liverpool and Barcelona, demonstrated that his class endures, even as he now plies his trade back in his homeland. His two goals set the tone for Vasco’s relentless attack, and his ability to rise to the occasion against his celebrated compatriot Neymar was a talking point across Brazil’s sporting press. For Neymar, the match was a humbling experience, as Santos were outplayed from start to finish, their defensive frailties exposed by a vibrant Vasco side led by Coutinho’s creative spark.
While Neymar endured a tough afternoon in Brazil, another of his compatriots was lighting up the Premier League in England. Richarlison, often described as one of the league’s great enigmas, delivered a statement performance in Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-0 victory over Burnley on August 16. The 28-year-old striker netted a spectacular double, including an acrobatic scissor kick that sent the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium crowd into raptures.
Richarlison’s recent record speaks for itself: 13 goals in his past 16 Premier League starts, and nine in his last nine appearances at home. Yet, he remains a player who divides opinion—capable of moments of brilliance, but also prone to inconsistency, often due to untimely injuries that have interrupted his rhythm. Last season, hamstring and calf issues limited him to just 15 league appearances and four starts, while a knee injury in 2023-24 derailed a promising run of form.
Tottenham manager Frank was effusive in his praise after the Burnley win, saying, “(It’s) fantastic he is scoring. The first one is definitely easier to score without being easy, but I have a striker that takes those two chances and helps us win the game. He deserves a lot of praise. He was very good against PSG, and today he was exceptional, with his work rate, driving the team, link-up play, hold-up play, just dominating, and then the two finishes.” According to Frank, Richarlison’s second goal—capping a 17-pass move involving every player—was “an exceptional finish” and a contender for goal of the season.
With Dominic Solanke returning to fitness after a minor ankle injury, Tottenham now boast enviable striker depth. Solanke replaced Richarlison in the 71st minute against Burnley and nearly added a goal of his own. The healthy competition between the two strikers could prove pivotal as Spurs look to build on their promising start to the 2025-26 campaign. Frank remains cautious, however, about managing Richarlison’s workload: “We’re very aware that we need to build him and protect him, because we can’t say we just did, as he played two games back-to-back. I think we need to be smart with him.”
As the new seasons unfold across continents, the fortunes of Brazil’s footballing elite continue to captivate. Raphinha’s record-breaking moment at Barcelona, Coutinho’s resurgence in Brazil, and Richarlison’s quest to become Tottenham’s undisputed No 9 all point to an exciting year ahead for fans of the beautiful game. Whether chasing individual glory, as with the Ballon d’Or, or battling for team success, these stars remain at the heart of football’s global narrative—sometimes shining, sometimes stumbling, but always unmissable.
The action is only just getting started. With league campaigns barely underway and major honors still up for grabs, all eyes will remain fixed on these Brazilian talents as they write the next chapters in their storied careers.
