Raphinha touches Messi at the start of La Liga

Barcelona’s Brazilian forward Raphinha is in excellent form right at the start of the 2026/27 season. He has become one of the main mainstays of Hansi Flick’s team by regularly contributing in both scoring goals and assisting teammates to score.

Raphinha has also proved his capability in the match against Levante on Sunday. Barcelona took a two-goal lead within the first 20 minutes of the match. And this Brazilian forward has direct contribution in both the goals. He assisted teammates to score both the goals of the first half.

Due to these two assists Raphinha’s contribution combining goals and assists in the first five matches of the ongoing La Liga season has stood at nine. Through this he has sat beside Lionel Messi in the feat of contributing in nine goals-assists in the first five matches of any La Liga season in Barcelona’s jersey.

After 2017 there are now only two players who have contributed in at least nine goals-assists in the first five matches of a La Liga season for Barcelona—Messi and Raphinha.

Such consistent performance right at the start of the season has further increased the expectations surrounding Raphinha. The 2026/27 season in Barcelona’s jersey may become one of the most memorable seasons of his career—the start is at least giving that indication.