German Coach Hansi Flick has brought about a great positive change in the entire Barcelona squad this season. However, the one who has benefited most is Brazilian forward Raphinha. Before the start of the season, there was even talk on social media that the club would sell him, or that he himself was looking for an address elsewhere. Raphinha is now the heart of Barcelona's XI; the most hard-working and productive player in the team.
Whether it's La Liga, Copa del Rey or the Champions League, the 28-year-old Brazilian has become an indispensable name in Barca's attack, scoring a hatful of goals himself and also assisting his teammates. Many are also placing him among their top candidates for the next Ballon d'Or. In the meantime, he is touching one record after another.
Flick's men thrashed Borussia Dortmund 4-0 at home in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday night, putting them one foot in the semi-finals. Raphinha played a major role in the team's victory with a goal and two assists in this match.
With this, his goal tally in the current season of European football’s flagship tournament moved to 12, to go with 7 assists. In doing so, he has written his name next to arguably the club’s greatest legend, Argentine Lionel Messi.
Twelve goals and seven assists mean Raphinha has contributed to a total of 19 goals in the Champions League this season so far, which is equal to the record set by Messi in the 2011-12 season. Messi achieved this feat with the help of 14 goals and 5 assists. Raphinha equals that feat more than a decade later. However, having done it before even the quarter finals are up, he has a great opportunity to surpass Messi in the next match and set a new club record.
However, this is not the record for the highest number of goals contributions in a single Champions League season. There are three more numbers above Raphinha-Messi, two of which are by Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and one by Robert Lewandowski in the Bayern Munich jersey.
Ronaldo’s 2015/16 Champions League ended with 20 goal contributions - 14 goals and 6 assists. Lewandowski surpassed that record by contributing 21 goals (15 goals, 6 assists) in the 2019/20 season. However, the Pole couldn’t surpass the record set by the Portuguese superstar in the 2013-14 season, when he made history by contributing a total of 22 goals - 17 goals and 5 assists - leading Real Madrid to La Decima, their historic 10th title.
Within touching distance
However, even that record is now under threat by the seemingly unstoppable Raphinha, who needs to contribute to just three more goals - either by scoring or assisting - to match it. The second leg of the quarter is now ahead of him. In addition, with a 4-0 lead, unless there is a huge upset in the second leg, this Brazilian is assured to play two more matches in the semi-finals. Even if just continues at his present rate, he can sit next to Ronaldo before the final is confirmed. Or even just one more performance like last night, and it can come true in one match.
In addition to this record of contributing goals, Raphinha has also risen to a significant place in the record of scoring the most goals in a season. With 12 goals in 11 matches, he is in sixth place in this list in terms of most goals in a Champions League season.
Lionel Messi is above him with 14 goals in the 2011/12 season. In addition, Ronaldo, whose Champions League record is unmatched in history, scored 15 goals in the 2017/18 season, in fourth place. Lewandowski is third in the list with the same 15 goals for having played fewer matches in the 2019/20 season. However, Cristiano’s name graces the top two spots for the most prolific Champions League goalscoring season ever, with 16 goals in the 2015/16 season and 17 goals in the aforementioned 2013/14 season.
With the dominance of Hansi Flick's Barcelona this season, it will not be surprising if they reach the Champions League final. This would give Raphinha a real chance, with the opportunity to play four more matches.
However, this is not the only potential record facing him. Raphinha has already made history by setting several records and leading Barcelona in many matches this season.
In addition, he is in fourth place on the list of Brazilian goalscorers in the Champions League for Barcelona. Superstar Neymar tops the list with 21 goals, the great Rivaldo is in second place with 16 goals and the legendary Ronaldinho is in third place with 14 goals.
Including last night's three, the Rio Grande do Sul-born footballer has also reached the milestone of contributing to 50 goals for the club this season. He has played 45 matches so far and has scored 28 goals and 22 assists, which is his career-high in a single season.
The Brazilian has been fully reciprocating the trust that Flick placed on his shoulders at a time when his future at Camp Nou was uncertain, with unwavering zeal. Flick said he had a 'special plan' for Raphinha. And the winger has gone from just 'special' to the 'main man' in his team, living up to his coach’s word. When all the team's captains have been ruled out due to injuries, he has become the leader from the front.
Barcelona have not lost a single match since the turn of the year. The Catalan giants have won 19 of the 23 matches they have played in 2025. Flick has vowed to finish the rest of the season undefeated. As a result, he has made it clear that he wants to win all possible titles, albeit in a roundabout way.
If the German has his way, Barcelona will play 13 more matches. The quadruple of the Spanish Super Cup, the Copa del Rey, La Liga and the Champions League is still on. And if they achieve that feat, Raphinha, may just dominate the next Ballon d'Or gala evening in Paris, like he is currently dominating on the field.