Rodri names in-form Raphinha as Barcelona teammate who has surprised him most

Barcelona midfielder Rodri has singled out Raphinha as the teammate who has surprised him the most since completing his move to the Camp Nou.

Raphinha has enjoyed a scintillating start to the campaign under manager Hansi Flick. Entrusted with the captain's armband and adapted into an attacking spearhead role, the Brazilian international has delivered an astonishing return of 17 direct goal contributions in just eight appearances across all competitions.

Speaking in an interview with COPE, Rodri reflected on his initial impressions of the squad and highlighted the remarkable transformation and quality of Raphinha, recalling his days facing him in the Premier League.

“Raphinha is the player who surprised me the most,” Rodri said, as cited by journalist Fabrizio Romano. “I told Raphinha: you were a winger at Leeds! Now you like to play as a No. 9, right? He told me: I didn’t like it at the beginning, but now I love it.”

The forward's tactical flexibility and prolific form have been pivotal to Barcelona's early-season momentum, earning high praise from both supporters and new dressing-room leaders like Rodri.