It was the perfect way to mark election day. As Joan Laporta was winning re-election with 68% of the vote, Raphinha was putting on a show at the Spotify Camp Nou — scoring a hat-trick in Barcelona's stunning 5-2 destruction of Sevilla to maintain their four-point lead at the top of La Liga.
The Brazilian winger, who has been in the form of his life this season, now has 18 goal involvements in 15 Champions League home games for Barcelona — a record bettered only by Lionel Messi among players with ten or more home appearances. His hat-trick included two penalties, and after the game he was asked about the secret behind his perfect spot-kick record.
"I study the goalkeepers," Raphinha told reporters with a smile. "I watch a lot of video, I know where they dive. And I trust myself. The confidence comes from the preparation."
That confidence has been evident throughout the season. Raphinha leads Barcelona in goals and assists and has been arguably the most decisive player in the entire La Liga this term. His relationship with Lamine Yamal — who operates on the opposite flank — has given Hansi Flick's side an attacking dynamism that few teams in Europe can match.
The Sevilla victory extended Barcelona's unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions, with five wins and one draw — that draw coming in the Champions League first leg against Newcastle, where Yamal's 96th-minute penalty rescued a crucial away result. With Newcastle arriving at Camp Nou on Wednesday, Raphinha will be looking to add to his already extraordinary Champions League home record.
