Raphinha emulates Lionel Messi! Barcelona star matches Argentine superstar as he inspires crushing Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund

Raphinha is enjoying a purple patch in the 2024-25 campaign and is being mooted as one of the favourites to win the Ballon d'Or this year. The Brazilian winger was in action for Barcelona in their Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday as he starred with a goal and a couple of assists to help his side take a 4-0 lead after the first leg.

With his dazzling performance against the Bundesliga side, Raphinha equalled club legend Messi's tally of 19 goals and assists in a single edition of the European competition, the most for a Blaugrana player in history. While the ex-Leeds United star now has 12 goals and seven assists to his name, Messi registered 14 goals and five assists in the 2011-12 Champions League season.

While Raphinha did have a significant contribution to his side's win, it was former Dortmund star Robert Lewandowski who stole the limelight. The 36-year-old Polish forward scored a brace to take his overall goals tally to 40 across all competitions this season.

Hansi Flick's side will next face Leganes in La Liga on Saturday before they fly out to Germany for the second leg tie on April 15.