Raphinha rocketing
Raphinha the captain. Raphinha the goalscorer. Raphinha, La Liga's leading scorer. The Brazilian forward has made a flying start to the campaign, scoring five goals in the opening three games. He hit braces against Elche and Rayo Vallecano, as well as finding the net once against Athletic Club.
No Barça player had scored in each of the opening three La Liga games since Leo Messi in the 2020/21 season. However, albeit ruthless in front of goal, the captain offers much more than goals, also bringing pressure and energy throughout every minute he spends on the pitch.
Following in the footsteps of Messi and Eto'o
Raphinha has therefore added his name to a select list of Barça players that also includes Cesc in 2011/12, Ibrahimović in 2009/10 and Eto'o in 2006/07, who all also managed to find the net in each of the first three league games of the season.
With Raphinha in such inspired form, FC Barcelona sit top of La Liga, with 12 goals scored and just two conceded. The Brazilian has accounted for almost half of that dozen, numbers that put him at the top of the league's goalscoring charts, with one more than Mbappé.
The Barça fans are loving this goalscoring version of Raphinha. A forward and captain whose hunger for goals shows no sign of letting up.