Raphinha has proven to be more decisive than Vinicius Jr. for the Brazilian national team, as statistics confirm. This isn’t merely a reflection of Raphinha's impressive start to the season with Barcelona, but a sustainable performance overall.

In a recent World Cup qualifier in Brasília, Raphinha shone brightly during Brazil’s 4-0 victory over Peru. He took charge of the game, showcasing his leadership by scoring two penalties and nearly completing a hat-trick with a stunning shot that hit the crossbar.

With these two goals, Raphinha has now netted 9 times in 29 appearances for the national team, also providing 6 assists. This totals fifteen goal contributions in just 1,970 minutes since his debut with the "Seleção" three years ago during a FIFA international window under coach Tite.

In contrast, the statistics for Vinicius Jr., who has been an international since 2019 but started seeing regular playtime around 2021, show a different story. The Real Madrid forward has played 35 matches for Brazil, accumulating 2,135 minutes on the field, where he has scored only 5 goals and registered 5 assists. This brings his total goal contributions to ten, five fewer than Raphinha.

It’s important to note that Raphinha’s standout performances are not a fleeting occurrence, as he has been instrumental for Brazil during the recent South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, Vinicius stayed back in Madrid due to cervical discomfort, prompting speculation about his position on the national team.

In 2024 alone, Raphinha has scored three goals for Brazil—one from a free kick against Colombia in the Copa América and two against Peru—along with one assist in a friendly against the United States. In the same time frame, Vinicius has recorded two goals: a brace against Paraguay in the Copa América and one assist.

The question of Vinicius Jr.'s candidacy for the Ballon d'Or comes into play when considering the contributions of both players on the international stage. Despite the significant expectations, Vinicius has struggled to lead Brazil in recent months, especially with Neymar sidelined due to a serious knee injury.

Throughout the current World Cup cycle, Vinicius has only managed three goals in fifteen matches for Brazil, including a lengthy stretch without finding the net between his penalty goal in June 2023 and his double against Paraguay in the Copa América 2024.

When comparing their offensive contributions in club football this season, Raphinha also holds the advantage. Under Hansi Flick, the Barcelona winger has displayed previously unseen tactical versatility, scoring six goals and providing six assists in 11 matches. In contrast, Vinicius has yet to score in official competitions this season, although he has tallied four goals and seven assists in 12 games.

Overall, Raphinha's sustained performance and decisive impact on the national team highlight his emergence as a key player for Brazil, while Vinicius Jr. faces mounting pressure to step up in both international and club competitions.