Crazy stat proves Raphinha is putting up Lionel Messi-like numbers as Barcelona star scores once again to continue remarkable run in Champions League win

Raphinha has transformed his Barcelona career after a rather mediocre start to life at the Catalan club following his big-money move away from Leeds United. Starting early this year, the Brazilian has become the star focal point for the club as an outright left-winger alongside Robert Lewandowski and wonderkid Lamine Yamal. Raphinha scored a hat-trick against Bayern Munich last month to showcase his fiery form and a stat has put into context how impressive the 26-year-old has been.

Since the start of 2024, Raphinha has provided 12 goal contributions in eight Champions League matches, including three goals against Paris Saint-Germain last season and his spectacular hat trick against Bayern this season. The Brazilian has accumulated 1.73 goal contributions per 90 minutes over the course of the year bettering Messi's record of 1.67 in 2016, and 1.56 in 2008.

As per OneFootball, Raphinha has also equalled another Messi record with his goal against Crvena zvezda as he has now scored eight Champions League goals for Barcelona in 2024, the most for a Barcelona player in the competition in a calendar year since Lionel Messi in 2019, who also got eight

Barcelona still have two more Champions League clashes until the end of 2024, so Raphinha will have the chance to add to his tally for the year. Barcelona will return to European action after the international break when they Brest on November 27, before facing Borussia Dortmund on December 12.