Hat-trick with a taste of vindication! Raphinha acts as MVP and leader in Barça's rout

Raphinha completed his best game in two years with FC Barcelona, ​​scoring his first hat-trick as a professional against Valladolid (7-0). The Brazilian was the best of a Barça team unleashed in Montjuïc, leading the devastating culé attack with direct participation in five of the seven goals scored. In addition to the hat-trick, the '11' assisted Ferran Torres in the final stretch to complete the historic rout. 

The Porto Alegre native started the day very active as a winger/attacking midfielder. In principle, it was expected to see him more on the left, but he ended up weighing more on the right, forming a lethal tandem with Lamine Yamal at times, but also with Dani Olmo. In the 20th minute, the forward took advantage of a long pass from Pau Cubarsí to control with his chest diagonally and finish with the tip of his right boot in front of goalkeeper Hein. A goal that paved the way for a historic thrashing of a weak Valladolid.

Raphinha completed a perfect afternoon against Valladolid

With the pucelanos completely back in their half, Barça completed the rout with four more goals in the last half hour of the match, all with Raphinha as the protagonist. In the 64th minute, the Brazilian took advantage of a loose ball inside the area to push the ball towards the goal, after an intervention by Robert Lewandowski. Eight minutes later, the '11' scored again against Hein, this time thanks to a great assist from Lamine that left him one-on-one with the goalkeeper. In the 85th minute, the forward added an assist after setting up Ferran from the left.

Raphinha sticks out his chest after the rout and talks about the Barça market

After the match, the Porto Alegre native praised the Barça display, alluding to the club's transfer window. For the '11', it is clear that the club did not need to go looking for more reinforcements. "Today's match has served to show that there is no need for anyone else to come. We are very happy about this. The manager wanted more and so did we. We want to score as many goals as possible, always respecting the opponent. Scoring goals is the most respectful way towards our opponent, without making jokes," he said in his chat with 'DAZN'. 

Regarding his individual performance, Raphinha was happy to score. "I don't know if it was my best match, but it is certainly among the best. I will try to do much more as soon as I can. I am very happy, it is the first 'hat-trick' of my career and I am very happy to be able to help the team. I feel good. I have been working hard since I returned from vacation, I knew that this season was going to be very important for me to help my teammates," said the Brazilian.