Who is Rafael Belinho? Deco Meets Rising Star in Croatia

Barcelona’s scouting network continues its search for future stars, even outside the transfer window. Recently, sporting director Deco traveled to Croatia alongside agent Andy Bara to evaluate emerging talents.

During the trip, Deco observed Cardoso Varela in action and also met with Rafael Belinho, a Dinamo Zagreb academy player, along with his father, at a hotel in Zagreb. The meeting was brief, involving greetings and a photo, as Belinho has openly expressed his admiration for Barcelona.

According to a report by SPORT, the club’s growing interest in Belinho reflects his promising development.

Who is Rafael Belinho?

Born in Rio de Janeiro in 2009, Rafael Gomes Cirino—better known as Belinho—currently trains in Dinamo Zagreb’s youth system and holds Croatian nationality. Though just 1.65m tall, the youngster makes up for it with sharp agility, swift turns, and strong ball retention under pressure.

Belinho usually operates as an attacking midfielder, but he is also effective on the right flank, where he cuts inside with his left foot. His game is marked by precise first-touch control, intelligent passing, and awareness of when to press forward or recycle possession.

In recent months, clips of Belinho’s performances have gained traction online, attracting attention from scouts across Europe.

The Andy Bara Connection

Belinho is represented by Croatian agent Andy Bara, known for his past collaborations with Barcelona in the transfers of Dani Olmo and Joan Garcia. While no negotiations have yet started, the strong ties between Bara and Barcelona could ease future discussions.

At present, Barcelona’s immediate focus is on signing Cardoso Varela once he turns 18, but Belinho’s name remains on their radar as part of long-term planning.