Barcelona took a massive step towards the UEFA Champions League semi -final with a Dominant 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the first part of their quarter final collision. But in addition to the results line and Barcelona’s reckless attacking performance, a deeper story arose – Brazilian Vinger Raphinha corresponding to a legendary Lionel Messi recordand now chasing down Cristiano Ronaldos iconic Champions League milestone.
Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys testified about a vintage European night when Hansi Flicks Barcelona tore through a vulnerable Dortmund page. Goals from Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski (twice) and Lamine Yamal Place a tie in the hands of the Spanish side in front of the other leg in Germany.
Raphinha opened the point by pushing a girl from Pau Cubarsi – stealing what would have been a first Champions League goal for the young defender. But the Brazilian more than compensated for it with a glittering performance that included two assists, establishment Lewandowski’s high headline early in the second half, and slide a perfectly weighted pass for Yamal to exit the box.
That goal – and the two assists that followed – took Raphinha to 19 direct target involvations in the Champions League this seasona summary that matches Best ever of a Barcelona player: Lionel Messi 2011-12.
Raphinha’s record run: The figures behind it
Messi’s record – 14 goals and five assists in the 2011-12 campaign – Stood unmatched at the club for over a decade. Now, Brazil star has leveled it with 12 goals and seven assistsAnd potentially still three more matches to play.
While Messi’s name remains etched in Barcelona’s history, Raphinha has now Cristiano Ronaldos Champions League records for all the time with 21 target insumptions Qualifying in visibility. The Portuguese reached the milestone in 2013-14And scored 17 goals and adds four assists for Real Madrid in a campaign that ended in European glory.
With Blaugrana that potentially has up to four matches left28-year-old would only need Three more direct target contributions to equal RonaldoAnd four to surpass him.
It is a breathtaking drive from a player whose rise from Leeds to European Star Has been nothing but spectacular. Over all the competitions this season he has now 28 goals and 22 assists – numbers that place him Fixed in Ballon d’Or Strid.
