Raphinha scores perfect hat-trick and breaks Messi's record
Barcelona captain Raphinha has netted 12 goals in seven La Liga games, surpassing Lionel Messi's record and outscoring 17 other teams in the league.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Author: Diliff
Barcelona forward Raphinha was the standout performer in the 3-1 victory over Sevilla, scoring a perfect hat-trick. The Brazilian scored with his head, his right foot, and his left foot. He becomes the first Barcelona player to achieve a perfect hat-trick in La Liga since Luis Suarez in 2015.
This performance has etched Raphinha into club history, as he is now the first Barcelona player to score 12 goals in the opening seven matches of a league season. He has officially surpassed the previous club record held by Lionel Messi (11 goals in the 2017/18 season). Only Cristiano Ronaldo, with 13 goals in 2014, has enjoyed a more prolific start to a La Liga campaign in the 21st century.
Raphinha's scoring rate is so extraordinary that his individual tally of 12 goals is currently higher than the total goals scored by 17 other teams in the league. He now holds a five-goal lead over his closest challengers for the Pichichi trophy, including Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe.
In total, the 27-year-old, who was named captain at the start of the season, has recorded 14 goals and 3 assists in eight appearances across all competitions. His influence has been absolute, cementing his status as the leader of the current Barca attack.