Barcelona star Raphinha, on Saturday evening, secured for himself an impressive benchmark during the club’s latest outing.
Xavi Hernandez’s troops are currently locked in action, aiming to reestablish the club’s 11-point advantage at the La Liga summit in a meeting with Real Betis.
And, as things stand at the Camp Nou, this is precisely what the Blaugrana are headed towards.
Owing to a rampant first-half display, Barca find themselves three goals to the good, owing to strikes on the part of all of Robert Lewandowski, the returning Andreas Christensen, and aforementioned Raphinha.
UNREAL BALL FROM BUSQUETS TO RAPHINHA TO MAKE IT 3-0 😦 pic.twitter.com/vbZdshiEJa
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 29, 2023
It is in fact not the latter’s latest goal, though, which has seen him match an altogether head-turning Barcelona benchmark.
Instead, this comes owing to his latest assist.
And this just so happens to be the same number as were managed by fellow countryman Neymar, in his debut season in Barcelona all the way back in 2013/14.
Not only that, but Raphinha still has a further six La Liga games to add to his tally before the campaign is out.
11 – Last three players with the most assists in their first season at Barcelona in all competitions:
🇧🇷 Neymar Jr – 11 in 2013/14.
🇺🇾 Luis Suárez – 21 in 2014/15
🇧🇷 RAPHINHA – 11 in 2022/23Silk. pic.twitter.com/Zn53q3hWmw
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 29, 2023