The examples of Brazilian players who came to Europe to make history in the Champions League are countless: Neymar, Kaká, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo… Many of them ended up winning the tournament and, later, the Ballon d'Or. However, none of them was able to match the records that Raphinha is setting with Barcelona in this year's Champions League.

Raphinha Makes History Among Brazilians in the Champions League

It wasn’t that long ago that Raphinha was one of the players placed on the ‘transfer list’ of FC Barcelona. Something that now seems incomprehensible after he has become the Brazilian player who has scored the most goals in a single edition of the Champions League… with a total of 11! These numbers also place him as the top scorer of the current edition.

This record came against his favorite victim: Benfica. Throughout his career, he has faced the Portuguese team 15 times and has scored a total of six goals against them… to which he has added two assists. Five of those goals have come in this edition of the Champions League. However, Raphinha emphasized that “what matters are the team’s achievements.”

Raphinha Is Chasing Messi… and the Ballon d'Or?

Still, Raphinha is not satisfied with having usurped the throne of the best Brazilian players who have played in Europe. Now, he is aiming for Leo Messi. The last time a Barcelona player finished as the top scorer in the Champions League was Messi himself in the 2018-2019 season with 12 goals. A figure Raphinha could easily reach.

Raphinha is still far from breaking into the list of the top Brazilian scorers in Champions League history. His 16 goals are still far from the 43 of Neymar. However, with Salah out of the running after Liverpool's elimination by PSG, Raphinha is paving the way to potentially win the Ballon d'Or if Barcelona ends up conquering the Champions League.