Raphinha is one goal away from equaling Neymar's best start to the season with Barça

Raphinha will have a nice opportunity next Saturday in Balaídos to break a new record with FC Barcelona. The man from Porto Alegre has already surpassed his scoring record with the Catalans (10 goals) in just 17 games in 2024/25, reaching a dozen goals in all competitions. A decade ago, Neymar Jr. left similar records in what was his best season for the Barça team.

In 2014/15, the one from Mogi das Cruzes scored 13 goals in his first 17 games, a couple less than in the entire previous season (15). Ney exploded in his second year as a culé, closing the season with 39 goals and 10 assists in 51 official appearances. Barça took advantage of this remarkable performance, winning the treble with Luis Enrique on the bench.

Raphinha can surpass Neymar's record against Celta

That season, the current Al Hilal forward reached his 20th game of the season with 13 goals scored. In that sense, Raphinha still has two games left to surpass his compatriot's best start to the season with Barça.

In terms of offensive production, Ney left better numbers in 2015/16, participating in 56 goals (31+25). In 2024/25, Rapha can far exceed the 30 goals scored if it maintains the pace of the first three months of competition.

Since his professional debut, the 27-year-old winger had not scored more than 11 goals (in 2021/22 with Leeds) in a single season. However, with the C subsidiary of Vitória Guimaraes he did have a year in which he scored 18 goals (in 2017/18).

Neymar's numbers with FC Barcelona:

• Season 2013/14: 41 official matches, 15 goals and 15 assistances.
• Season 2014/15: 51 official matches, 39 goals and 10 assistances.
• Season 2015/16: 49 official matches, 31 goals and 25 assistances.
• Season 2016/17: 45 official matches, 20 goals and 26 assistances.

Raphinha's numbers with FC Barcelona

• Season 2022/23: 50 official matches, 10 goals and 12 assistances.
• Season 2023/24: 37 official marches, 10 goals and 13 assistances.
• Season 2024/25: 17 official matches, 12 goals and 10 assistances (in course).