Barcelona star Raphinha has shown once again what it means to be both a dedicated father and a world-class professional. After scoring twice in Barcelona's commanding 3-1 Champions League victory over Benfica on Tuesday, it was revealed that the Brazilian forward had spent the morning in the hospital with his son before taking to the field.
The win secured Barcelona's place in the Champions League quarter-finals, with Raphinha and young talent Lamine Yamal emerging as standout performers for Hansi Flick's side. Raphinha's brace took his impressive season tally to 27 goals across all competitions, cementing his status as the Champions League's top scorer with an remarkable 11 goals in just 10 matches.
Following the match, Raphinha's wife, Natalia Rodrigues Belloli, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram that shed light on her husband's challenging day: "I'm so proud of you, my love. You were there early in the hospital with our boy, and yet you still did your job so masterfully. A great father and professional. We love you."
This touching revelation adds even more significance to Raphinha's performance. The former Leeds forward has now set a new record, scoring more Champions League goals in a single season (11) than any Brazilian player for any club in history—surpassing legendary compatriots like Kaka and Neymar.
Barcelona's Champions League journey continues as they await their quarter-final opponents, which will be either Lille or Borussia Dortmund. In the meantime, Flick's squad faces a crucial domestic challenge as they travel to Atletico Madrid for a high-stakes La Liga clash on Sunday.
