Raphinha on golden streak
The start to this season by Raphinha is unparalleled. The Sevilla v Barça match saw the Brazilian forward grab a perfect hat-trick and the blaugrana number 11 now has 14 goals in all competitions, with 12 of those coming in LaLiga. Simply outstanding numbers and he has totally took the move to the striker position in his stride.
From winger to setting records as striker
The Brazilian is playing in an unfamiliar position as the number 9, and he is fulfilling the role and more. An average of almost two goals per game fully vindicates the decision by Hansi Flick to have him spearhead the attack. So much so that he has set a new club record for the best ever goalscoring start after eight games, surpassing César Rodríguez, who scored 13 goals in the 1948/1949 season.
His 12 goals in the first seven matches in LaLiga also amounts to the third best goalscoring start to a season ever in the competition. Only Echevarría, who scored 14 goals with Oviedo in 1943/1944, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 13 in 2014/15, got more after the same number of games.
Matching Messi and Luis Suárez
He has also scored consecutive hat-tricks, against Racing de Santander (7-2) and Sevilla (1-3). This hasn't happened in LaLiga since Griezmann did it in the 2017/18 season. When it comes to the blaugranes, only Messi (three times) and Luis Suárez have achieved the same feat.
It's also worth noting that Raphinha scored a "perfect" hat-trick against Sevilla, i.e. one with this right foot (the first), one with his head (the second) and one with his left foot (the third). This was the first by any Barça player since 2 May 2015 (Luis Suárez).
It goes without saying that Raphael Dias Belloli ‘Raphinha’ has begun this season in the best possible way, proving key to ensuring Barça have made their best ever start to a season and go into the international break firmly out in front after winning their first eight games of a season for the first time in their history.