Raphinha Matches Messi’s Champions League Feat, Wins Over Barcelona Fans
Barcelona forward Raphinha has captured the hearts of the club’s supporters by equalling a remarkable Champions League record previously held by Lionel Messi.
In the first leg of the quarter-final clash against Borussia Dortmund, the Brazilian winger delivered a standout performance—scoring and providing an assist—bringing his total goal contributions this season to 19.
With 12 goals and 7 assists in just 11 Champions League appearances, Raphinha has now matched Messi’s best single-season tally in the competition for Barcelona. Messi achieved 14 goals and 5 assists in 11 matches during one of his standout campaigns.
Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, who has netted 11 goals, have also made history as the first Barcelona duo to score in double digits in a single Champions League season since Messi and Neymar achieved the feat in the 2014–15 campaign, both scoring 10 goals each.
That memorable season ended with Barcelona securing a historic treble—La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Champions League—a feat the current squad is now in strong contention to replicate.
