Barcelona are in the form of their lives. A crushing 7-2 victory over Racing Santander at Spotify Camp Nou extended their perfect start to the LaLiga season to six wins from six, putting them six points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table. It is the best opening run in the club's history, and Hansi Flick's side are scoring at a rate that is drawing comparisons to some of the great Barcelona teams.

Raphinha was the standout performer in the win over Racing Santander, scoring a hat-trick that reports on his post-match comments suggest reflects a squad with genuine belief in what they can achieve this season. The Brazilian praised Flick's influence and pointed to the group's collective ambition as the driving force behind the record-breaking run. Midfielder Gavi, returning from injury, also featured and spoke candidly about the mental challenge of coming back from a serious setback, adding depth to a squad that is growing in confidence with every passing week.

Off the pitch, the Ballon d'Or debate continues to swirl around the club. Flick has publicly backed Lamine Yamal for the award, while the 19-year-old has spoken out about his experiences with racism, showing a maturity that goes well beyond his age. Barcelona have also tied down Egyptian teenager Hamza Abdelkarim on a new long-term deal, signalling their intent to build for the future.

Next up is a trip to Sevilla on September 19, a fixture that will test whether this momentum can be sustained away from home.