This Tuesday, Barcelona defeated Benfica 3-1, adding to their 1-0 win in the first leg, to comfortably advance to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. Raphinha was the standout performer in the match, scoring two goals that paved the way for the Spanish giants. With that, the Brazilian winger surpassed Neymar Jr.‘s record and is now approaching milestones set by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Raphinha became the Brazilian player with the most goals in a single Champions League edition, scoring an impressive 11 goals in 10 matches, while also registering five assists. This achievement allowed him to surpass legends such as Kaka, Roberto Firmino, Mario Jardel, and Rivaldo, who previously shared the record with 10 goals.
Neymar Jr. was the other Brazilian player to have reached that milestone, accomplishing it during the 2014-15 season when he scored 10 goals in 12 games. He was instrumental in Barcelona’s fifth (and so far last) European title. That season saw Ney form part of the legendary MSN attacking trio alongside Messi and Luis Suarez.
Now Raphinha goes for Messi’s record
Having become the Brazilian player with the most goals in a single Champions League edition, Raphinha now sets his sights on surpassing Lionel Messi’s record as Barcelona’s top scorer in a single European campaign.
Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates a goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League.
Messi, of course, holds the record as the Spanish giants’ all-time top scorer in the Champions League and had his most prolific season in 2011-12, when he netted 14 goals before Barcelona were eliminated by Chelsea in the semifinals. Raphinha is now just three goals away from equaling Leo’s tally.
see also
Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Tottenham star Son Heung-min names his favorite soccer player
Cristiano Ronaldo holds the top record in the Champions League
When discussing Champions League records, it is impossible to overlook Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar holds the record for the most goals in the competition’s history, with 140 goals in 183 appearances. He also holds the record for most goals in a single edition.
In the 2013-14 season, Real Madrid won their tenth European title, with Cristiano leading the charge by scoring a remarkable 17 goals in 13 matches. No other player, before or since, has been able to match that feat.
Raphinha now faces the monumental challenge of dethroning Cristiano Ronaldo and claiming that historic mark. With 11 goals in his first 10 matches in the current Champions League, he stands a chance, though it will not be an easy task. For the time being, Barcelona have already secured their spot in the quarterfinals, where they will face Borussia Dortmund, who eliminated Lille on Wednesday. In the best-case scenario, Raphinha will have five more games to try and surpass Ronaldo.
