Raphinha joins Messi, Suárez and Neymar on exclusive Barcelona list

After an impressive contribution in Barça’s Champions League victory at the Parc des Princes in Paris, the Brazilian joined a select list with the ‘MSN’.

Barcelona delivered in Paris, securing a 3-2 victory in the first leg with a double from Raphinha and an additional goal from Christensen, who was celebrating his birthday. After a four-year absence from the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, the Blaugrana demonstrated their determination to clinch their sixth ‘Big Ears’ under the guidance of Xavi Hernández.

With LaLiga seemingly favouring Real Madrid – as they currently hold an eight-point lead over Barcelona and a 10-point lead over Girona with eight matchdays remaining – the Catalans will aim to overcome PSG in the second leg and set their sights on either Atlético Madrid or Dortmund in the semifinals. For all neutrals, the desire is for another goalfest in the second legs.

Xavi’s triumph over former Camp Nou favourite Luis Enrique in Paris sets the stage for a decisive showdown at the Estadio Olímpico de Montjuic on Tuesday 16 April, in a match set to be filled with drama and action, with Kylian Mbappé eager to make his mark in Barcelona ahead of an almost certain move to Madrid.

Raphinha marked his first brace while wearing the Barcelona shirt. With this achievement, the Brazilian joins a prestigious list of players of Neymar, Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic who have scored as visitors during the quarterfinals or semifinals of the Champions League.

Ibrahimovic against Arsenal in 2010, Messi against Real Madrid in 2011, Luis Suárez against PSG in 2015, Neymar facing Bayern in 2015, and now Raphinha against Paris Saint-Germain.