Some strikers have a good week. Raphinha is having a legendary one. The Brazilian scored his second hat-trick in four days as Barcelona came from behind to beat Sevilla 3-1, going six points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. He now has 12 league goals in seven games, and the Ballon d’Or voters look silly.
Sevilla 1-3 Barcelona: How Raphinha Turned It Around
Sevilla started strongly and took the lead when Youssouf Fofana headed in Félix Correia’s cross in the 19th minute. Barcelona were rattled, but not for long. Three minutes later, Andreas Christensen threaded a pass, and Raphinha left Arouna Sangante on the floor before finishing low.
The second half belonged to Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. Early in the half, Yamal crossed and Raphinha headed home. Around the hour mark, Yamal set up the third, and Raphinha dinked it over the goalkeeper. Yamal provided two assists in all, and Barcelona won it with 70 percent of the ball, according to one analysis.
Raphinha by the Numbers
Raphinha followed his midweek hat-trick against Racing Santander with another at the Sánchez-Pizjuán, taking his tally to 12 league goals and 14 in all competitions. He has flourished as a striker after Robert Lewandowski left in the summer and Barcelona failed to land Julián Álvarez. The win was Barcelona’s seventh from seven in La Liga and eighth from eight in all competitions.
The Ballon d’Or Snub That Keeps Getting Louder
Raphinha is not on the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist, and Sevilla coach Luis García wasn’t having it. He called the omission a joke after the game. Raphinha finished fifth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or vote, and his own view of the snub was that it is unfair. The winner will be crowned in London on Monday, 26 October.
Contract News and Flick’s Praise
The timing was perfect. Barcelona sporting director Deco confirmed that an agreement is in place for Raphinha to sign a new contract until 2030, with his current deal running to 2028. Flick said renewing him is the best decision for the club.
It wasn’t all smooth. Dominik Livaković made his Barcelona debut in goal with Joan García injured, and Christensen went off with a thigh injury in the second half.
What Next for Barcelona?
The lead could shrink quickly. Real Madrid play Atlético Madrid in the Madrid derby on Sunday, and José Mourinho has said the season is a marathon. Barcelona head into the international break with a perfect record, but Flick will be watching Christensen’s fitness closely.
For now, Barcelona are flying, and Raphinha is the reason. Keep the faith, Barça fans: at this rate, the trophy talk will only get louder.
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