Raphinha Matches Messi with 6 Goals in 4 Games as Barcelona Stay Perfect with 5-0 Win Over Valencia

Raphinha has made a flying start to the season, while Barcelona remain unbeaten in La Liga with a perfect record after a 5-0 home win over Valencia. He scored in the 50th minute and has already netted six goals after four rounds, matching the early-season record previously set by Messi in La Liga history.

Six goals in four games, previously achieved only by Messi

Scoring six goals in the first four La Liga rounds had previously only been achieved by Messi. By comparison, Cristiano Ronaldo scored five goals in the first four rounds in three different seasons, but did not reach six. Messi's advantage was that he achieved this feat in consecutive seasons, 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Raphinha is still some distance away from another of Messi's records. Messi scored in 21 consecutive league matches during the 2012-13 season, finishing with 33 goals, five more than second-place Josef Bican.

After Lewandowski's departure, he took over the No. 9 role

After Robert Lewandowski left and Barcelona failed to sign Julian Alvarez, Raphinha was moved into the No. 9 position, producing a highly effective impact. Barcelona's attack has already shown top European-level quality, with several players also posting impressive early-season numbers.

In addition to his six goals, Raphinha has one assist; Fermin Lopez has contributed four goals and two assists; Lamine Yamal has scored four goals; and Anthony Gordon has provided four assists after adapting to life in Spain.

Flick sets new top-of-the-table record

Head coach Hansi Flick also created his own record: he has led the team while sitting at the top of La Liga for 60 matchdays, surpassing the previous record holder for this distinction, Johan Cruyff.

Flick described the victory as 'almost perfect.' He said: 'We played a great game, almost perfect. We controlled the match, dominated it, and that is what I want the team to do.'

He added: 'We stayed calm and tried to score whenever we had the chance. For us, this was an excellent game. Nothing is perfect; you can always continue to improve. If it were already perfect, you could stop working.'

Barcelona will next begin their UEFA Champions League campaign this season.