Raphinha starring in the Champions League
He has been a real revelation across world football this season. Now in his third season at Barça, Raphinha has become one of the most difference-making players on the planet. He's doing it game after game, always playing at full power, but his efforts are even more evident in a Champions League campaign that looks like it might go down in history. The last game was another show of his talents, scoring once and providing two assists against Borussia Dortmund.
Leading the way for goals and assists in the Champions League
The goal against the German side is further evidence of the hunger of a man who believes everything is possible, and the numbers back him up. This Champions League can be said to be Raphinha's Champions League. As it stands, he has 12 goals and seven assists, meaning he is leading the way for goals and assists in the competition. In other words, he has 19 goal involvements, equalling Leo Messi's best season in the Champions League when wearing blaugrana, with 14 goals and five assists in 2011/12. Another level.
There's more data when it comes to the Champions League and Raphinha. He has only neither scored nor assisted against Monaco and Brest, just two games from the eleven he has played. Raphinha keeps going and the effort is always there. His hard work, commitment and sacrifice have been there since his first day in a blaugrana jersey, but the numbers have also come in recent months. However this Champions League ends for Barça and Raphinha, he has become firmly established on the world stage.
Only Champions League legends ahead
He's not done yet though. There's at least one more game to go. The 4-0 first leg makes a minimum of a further three games more likely, with four if the final is reached to bring a historic season to an end. His 12 goals put him close to achieving 14 like Messi, who holds the blaugrana record. Further ahead is Lewandowski with 15 for Bayern, the same as Benzema for Real Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo the highest scorer in the competition is even further ahead, with three seasons when he scored 15, 16 and 17 goals respectively.
Two assists away from a record
When it comes to assists, his seven this season sees him two ahead of the rest of the pack, and only two away from the nine Figo provided (1999/00), which is the record for both a Barça player and in general. Players such as Neymar, Beckham, Milner and Mendieta reached eight, and Raphinha will have them in his sights. Goals and assists for a player who wants to win trophies and achieve glory in blaugrana.