Raphinha’s perfect hat-trick at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on September 19 put him in company that, this century, has only contained Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. His 12 goals in the first seven LaLiga matches of 2026-27 make him only the third player in the 21st century to hit that mark after matchday seven. Messi did it with 10 in 2011-12 and 11 in 2017-18; Ronaldo reached 13 in 2014-15.

The 3-1 win at Sevilla took Barcelona to seven wins from seven and left the Brazilian five goals clear at the top of the LaLiga scoring race. Raphinha struck with his right foot on 22 minutes, a header on 52 and his left on 69.

Yamal reaches 50 assists at 19

Two of those Sevilla goals came from Lamine Yamal, whose creative output has been just as emphatic in a different key. The Spain forward reached his 50th career assist earlier this month, becoming the youngest LaLiga player to do so since 2013-14, at 19 years and 68 days. Vinícius Júnior held the previous mark at 22 years and 298 days, set in May 2023.

Yamal now has 51 assists in 159 matches for Barcelona across all competitions.

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Real Madrid, City, Bayern all trailing

In LaLiga alone, a comparison compiled by Barca Universal has Raphinha and Yamal on 19 goals and seven assists between them, a combined 26 direct contributions. Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid sit on 10 and five.

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki have eight goals and two assists together in the Premier League. Harry Kane and Michael Olise at Bayern Munich: seven and two.

Add the Champions League and the Barcelona pair are on 22 goals and nine assists, directly involved in 27 of the club’s 36 goals across the two competitions.

Ballon d’Or ceremony on October 26

Raphinha did not make the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or despite 21 goals and seven assists last season, and said after the 2025 ceremony he had expected placement “at least in the top three”. Yamal, second in the 2025 vote, is on the list. The ceremony is on Monday, October 26 in London.

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