"Unstoppable" Raphinha compared to Ronaldo, Romario after perfect Barcelona hat-trick

Spurred connected by a sensational snub from the 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist, Barcelona talisman Raphinha produced yet different monumental show successful Saturday's 3-1 La Liga triumph astatine Sevilla.

The erstwhile Leeds United antheral did not conscionable people his 2nd successive hat-trick aft firing successful a treble against Racing Santander during the week, but helium did truthful successful 'perfect' style, with 1 right-footed strike, 1 left-footed effort and a header successful between.

Nothing abbreviated of a revelation successful the centre-forward's relation with the captain's armband, Raphinha has already amassed an astronomical 17 extremity involvements successful conscionable 8 matches for Hansi Flick's broadside successful each tournaments this season.

The 29-year-old has scored 14 of his ain portion mounting up 3 much for La Blaugrana, and helium has either scored oregon assisted successful each azygous 1 of his appearances astatine nine level this season, surpassing a Lionel Messi grounds successful the process.

Raphinha whitethorn not beryllium battling the likes of Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane for the Ballon d'Or, but the attacker has nevertheless earned the presumption of the champion subordinate connected the planet, according to the Spanish media.

Raphinha compared to Ronaldo, Romario aft Barcelona masterclass

Mundo Deportivo ran retired of superlatives to picture Raphinha's show against Sevilla, labelling the Barcelona prima the 'unstoppable, devastating apotheosis' and highlighting his lasting ovation from the location supporters erstwhile helium was taken off.

A abstracted study from Mundo Deportivo ran the header 'Raphinha Nazario Da Souza', likening the ex-Rennes starlet to the legendary Romario and Ronaldo R9 aft his cleanable hat-trick.

The outlet claimed that Barcelona fans watched successful 'disbelief' arsenic Raphinha became the 'phenomenal' fig 9 they ne'er knew they had, easing immoderate concerns astir a post-Robert Lewandowski world.

Meanwhile, AS described the Brazil planetary arsenic a 'locomotive', arsenic Sevilla failed to header with Barcelona's 'Raphinha-led violative onslaught' astatine the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Sevilla manager slams Raphinha Ballon d'Or decision

Raphinha's Ballon d'Or bid was ostensibly harmed by his injury-hit 2025-26 season, successful which helium missed 21 games crossed each competitions, mostly owing to 2 mean hamstring problems.

The attacker's World Cup 2026 run besides ended prematurely owed to different hamstring injury, but helium inactive managed 29 extremity contributions successful 33 appearances for Barcelona erstwhile afloat fit.

While 2026-27 achievements are not taken into relationship for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, Sevilla manager Luis Garcia is successful disbelief that Raphinha was not among the 30 shortlisted players for the prize.

"He's not adjacent nominated for the Ballon d'Or, what a lie," Garcia told a property conference. "He's a decisive player, that's wherefore I don't judge successful those awards. He does everything."

Raphinha has been included successful the Brazil squad for the September/October planetary break, successful which Carlo Ancelotti's broadside volition instrumentality connected Australia connected September 25 and 29, earlier a last affable with India connected October 3.