Barcelona’s Brazilian winger Raphinha is enjoying an exceptional run in the 2024 season, putting up numbers in the UEFA Champions League that rival those of Lionel Messi during his prime years at the club. The 26-year-old’s recent performances have catapulted him into the spotlight, with one particular statistic highlighting just how extraordinary his form has been.
Raphinha has undergone a stunning transformation at Barcelona, especially after a shaky start following his high-profile transfer from Leeds United. Initially, he struggled to make a significant impact, but since the beginning of 2024, the winger has emerged as one of the key players under manager Hansi Flick. Alongside the likes of Robert Lewandowski and rising star Lamine Yamal, Raphinha has found his stride, becoming one of Barcelona’s most important attacking threats.
One of his standout performances came last month when he scored a hat-trick against Bayern Munich, which not only showcased his goal-scoring ability but also set the stage for a record-breaking run in Europe. This season, Raphinha has been directly involved in 12 goals in just eight Champions League matches, including three goals against Paris Saint-Germain and his recent hat-trick against Bayern. His tally of 1.73 goal contributions per 90 minutes in 2024 is impressive, surpassing Lionel Messi's best season in the Champions League. Messi's highest contribution rate came in 2016, when he averaged 1.67 goal involvements per game.
Moreover, Raphinha has matched another Messi milestone. With his goal against Crvena zvezda earlier this season, he became the first Barcelona player to score eight Champions League goals in a calendar year since Messi achieved the same feat in 2019. Raphinha's impressive tally of eight goals in 2024 marks a new high for Barcelona in the competition, showcasing the Brazilian's growing influence on Europe’s biggest stage.
Looking ahead, Barcelona still have two more Champions League fixtures in 2024, which gives Raphinha the opportunity to further extend his remarkable run. The Catalan giants will return to action after the international break, facing Brest on November 27, before traveling to Borussia Dortmund on December 12. Given his current form, Raphinha will likely continue to be a key figure in Barcelona’s European ambitions.
In just a short time, Raphinha has established himself as one of the top performers in European football, and with his recent feats, he is not only drawing comparisons to Barcelona’s all-time greats but also setting new standards for the club’s attacking play.
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