Raphinha Matches Lionel Messi’s UCL Record for Barcelona
Raphinha’s resurgence this season has been nothing short of spectacular — and now, the Brazilian winger finds himself in the company of legends.
Raphinha Equals Lionel Messi’s Barcelona Record, Now Chasing Cristiano Ronaldo in Champions League History
In Barcelona’s emphatic 4-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, Raphinha was once again at the heart of everything.
He scored the opening goal — controversially nicking it off teenage defender Pau Cubarsi on the line — and then turned provider twice more, bringing his tally to 19 goal contributions (12 goals, 7 assists) in this Champions League campaign.
With that, Raphinha has officially matched Lionel Messi’s best-ever Champions League season for Barcelona. The Argentine great hit 14 goals and five assists in the 2011/12 campaign, a total that many believed would stand untouched at the club.
But now, over a decade later, Raphinha has joined him — and with potentially four games still to play, he has his sights set on even greater history.
Only two players have ever managed 20+ goal contributions in a single Champions League season: Cristiano Ronaldo with 22 in 2013/14 and 20 in 2015/16, and Robert Lewandowski with 21 in Bayern Munich’s victorious 2019/20 campaign.
Raphinha is just one contribution away from joining that exclusive club — and four away from rewriting the record books.
The irony? Less than a year ago, many fans and even voices within the club questioned Raphinha’s place at Barcelona.
Some wanted him sold, with one Catalan influencer even posting a video replacing his name with that of Nico Williams.
Raphinha didn’t forget. “People need to keep their respect for the players who try to do their best for the shirt,” he said in a recent interview.
Now, he’s not just doing his best — he’s leading the charge in Barcelona’s treble hunt, commanding respect with every touch, goal, and assist.
From scapegoat to superstar, Raphinha’s redemption arc is being written in bold Champions League letters.