Barcelona and Inter Milan played out an instant classic in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final and it turned out to be a night to remember for Raphinha
Raphinha strengthened his growing case to be considered for the Ballon d’Or with another stellar showing in Barcelona‘s 3-3 draw with Inter Milan in the first leg of their mouth watering Champions League semi-final shootout.
The Brazilian maestro, 28, was once again influential as Hansi Flick’s side ensured they will head to Italy next week on level terms after twice fighting back against Inter Milan at the Nou Camp. Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres – plus an own goal from Yann Sommer – helped Barca end the night level.
It was Raphinha who teed up Torres just before half-time to restore parity – and in doing so, the former Leeds United star smashed a record previously held by Nou Camp royalty in Lionel Messi.
Raphinha’s assist was his 20th goal contribution in the Champions League this season; one more than Messi managed during his best ever European campaign for Barca before leaving the club back in 2021.
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Only Cristiano Ronaldo has ever recorded more goal contributions in a single Champions League campaign. But with the multi time Ballon d’Or winner’s previous best standing at 21, Raphinha could even go on to eclipse that before the end of the season.
In total, the former Premier League star has a staggering 30 goals and 21 assists to his name across 51 games in all competitions for Barca this term. He has been influential in their title bid and could end the season with a trifecta of trophies after Barcelona’s triumph over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final at the weekend.
While Raphinha etched his name into the Barca history books it was his team-mate, the prodigious Lamine Yamal, who caught the eye of TNT Sports’ Rio Ferdinand on the night.
After announcing himself on a global stage in last year’s European Championship finals, Yamal has also caught the eye in Flick’s team this year. And after watching him halve Inter’s lead midway through the first half with a super striker, Ferdinand couldn’t help but give the teenager his flowers on social media.
‘As a pure football talent I’m going as far as to say I think Lamine Yamal is on another level to any player playing the game in the top 5 leagues in world football,” Ferdinand posted. “17 yrs old. Truly unbelievable.”
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