Raphinha chasing history as Barcelona forward targets Messi’s record

Raphinha has moved beyond his reputation as a speedy Barcelona winger and emerged as one of Europe’s leading scorers, with his explosive start to the season putting him in contention for the Golden Boot.

The 29-year-old has scored 12 goals in La Liga so far, as well as twice in the UEFA Champions League against Feyenoord. That tally leaves him second in the Golden Boot standings, behind only Latvian striker Edi Okolo, who has benefited from playing more than half a season in Latvia’s league.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Raphinha’s scoring run represents the best form of his career. It has also placed him among Barcelona’s most prolific players at the beginning of a season. Only club legend Mariano Martin, who scored more during the opening phase of the 1943-44 campaign, has started a season with a higher tally for the Catalan side.

The Golden Boot rankings are based on points rather than goals alone. A goal in one of Europe’s five highest-ranked leagues – Spain, England, Italy, Germany and France – is worth two points. Goals in leagues of intermediate strength are awarded 1.5 points, while those in lower-ranked competitions count for one point.

Leagues in Scandinavia and Latvia currently offer their leading scorers a temporary advantage because more than half of their seasons have already been completed, while the Spanish campaign remains in its early stages. That system explains why Raphinha is second despite having scored 12 league goals.

The wider race has produced several unexpected names. In Italy, Donyell Malen has made an impact for Roma with six goals. In England, Erling Haaland – the 2023 Golden Boot winner after scoring 36 goals – leads the scoring charts with five goals so far.

Four players share the lead in France on four goals each: Ferran Torres of Paris Saint-Germain, Doumbia of Brest, Gouiri of Marseille and Sinayoko of Paris. Germany also has four joint leaders, with Ibn Taleb of Eintracht Frankfurt, Olise of Bayern Munich, Schick of Bayer Leverkusen and Suzuki of Freiburg all on the same total.

Harry Kane, who won the award in 2024 and 2026, has scored only three goals and is currently at the bottom of the standings.

Should Raphinha finish as the Golden Boot winner, he would become only the third Brazilian to achieve the feat. Ronaldo Nazario was the first, scoring 36 goals for Barcelona in 1996-97, while Mario Jardel won the award twice, with Porto in 1999 and Sporting CP in 2002.

Raphinha’s current scoring rate also raises the possibility of a remarkable record. If he maintained it throughout the campaign, he would finish La Liga with 66 goals – surpassing Lionel Messi’s record of 50, set in 2011-12, which remains the highest total in Golden Boot history.