Raphinha Matches Incredible Lionel Messi LaLiga Record
The Brazilian was on target again for Barcelona, reaching a mark that only the legendary Argentine had achieved in LaLiga this century.
Raphinha is off to a sensational start to the season. The Brazilian found the net again in Barcelona’s 5-0 win over Valencia, taking his tally to six goals through the club’s first four games of the 2026-27 LaLiga campaign.
That puts him in truly elite company. Raphinha is only the second player this century to score six goals across his team’s first four matches of a LaLiga season. The first was Lionel Messi.
The Argentine accomplished the feat twice for Barcelona, doing so in both 2012-13 and 2013-14. More than a decade later, Raphinha has now put his name alongside Messi’s on a remarkably short list.
Four games, four scoring appearances for Raphinha
It is not just the number of goals that stands out. Raphinha has scored in every LaLiga game Barcelona have played this season.
He opened the campaign with a brace against Elche, followed it up with another goal against Athletic Club, then struck twice in the 5-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano. His goal against Valencia brought his tally to six.
That blistering start has also pushed him to the top of the Pichichi race. Raphinha sits on six goals, ahead of Sergio Camello on five, with Kylian Mbappé also trailing the Barça forward.
Hansi Flick has reinvented Raphinha as a No. 9
A tactical switch from Hansi Flick has played a major role in Raphinha’s scoring explosion. The Brazilian arrived at Barcelona in 2022 primarily as a right winger, later spent more time on the left and is now being deployed through the middle.
Playing as a No. 9 has brought him closer to goal and put him in better positions to finish chances. Flick made his feelings about Raphinha clear after one of his recent two-goal performances, calling him a “world-class player.”
The move is already paying off. With six goals in four league games, Raphinha has emerged as Barcelona’s biggest attacking threat in the opening weeks of the season.
Raphinha bounces back from an injury-hit campaign
His red-hot start is even more impressive considering the physical setbacks he endured last season. Raphinha suffered four injuries during the 2025-26 campaign but still finished with 21 goals and eight assists in 33 appearances.
The previous season offered an even clearer glimpse of his ceiling. He produced 34 goals and 26 assists in 2024-25, playing a major role as Barcelona completed a domestic treble.
Now fully fit and operating much closer to goal, Raphinha looks capable of putting up huge numbers once again.
Gabriel Jesus adds competition up front
Robert Lewandowski’s departure left Barcelona with a major decision to make at center forward, and Flick initially found his solution from within.
Raphinha became the German coach’s preferred option through the middle, although the deadline-day arrival of Gabriel Jesus has added another proven striker to the mix. The former Arsenal forward has already made his Barça debut, coming off the bench in the rout of Valencia.
For now, though, Raphinha is making himself almost impossible to displace. Six goals, four straight scoring appearances and a LaLiga record previously achieved only by Lionel Messi this century make a compelling case.
3 Key Takeaways From Raphinha’s Incredible Record
- Joining Messi: Raphinha is only the second player this century to score six goals in his team’s first four games of a LaLiga season.
- Scoring every week: the Brazilian has found the net in all four of Barcelona’s league matches so far.
- Thriving as a No. 9: Flick’s positional switch has Raphinha leading the Pichichi race and spearheading Barcelona’s attack.
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Raphael Dias Belloli
FC Barcelona
