Raphinha sets all‑time Barcelona record with explosive start

Raphinha has rewritten Barcelona’s record books after scoring his second consecutive hat‑trick in a 3‑1 win over Sevilla, lifting his tally to 14 goals in just eight competitive matches. No Blaugrana striker—neither Messi, Eto’o nor Suárez—has ever begun a season with such output. Days earlier, the Brazilian had already surpassed Lionel Messi’s best seven‑game start of ten goals from 2012‑13, leaving only Mariano Martín’s 12‑goal mark ahead of him. His latest treble now moves him past César Rodríguez and Sándor Kocsis, who both opened past campaigns with 13 goals.

Levante remain the only side to keep Raphinha from scoring this season, though he still provided two assists in that match. Otherwise, his form has been relentless: single goals against Athletic Club and Valencia, braces versus Elche and Feyenoord on his Champions League debut, and back‑to‑back hat‑tricks against Racing and Sevilla. His partnership with Lamine Yamal continues to devastate opposing defences.