Barcelona in-form captain chasing Lionel Messi record after spectacular display vs Benfica | OneFootball

Barcelona winger Raphinha delivered another standout performance in the UEFA Champions League, something that has become a regular occurrence this season.

The Brazilian international spearheaded Barça’s 3-1 victory over Benfica on Tuesday, scoring two fine goals in the first half, in the process securing the team’s place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

In doing so, Raphinha knocked off some impressive records – becoming the Brazilian with the most goals in a single Champions League season (11) while equalling legendary Ronaldinho’s total goal tally (14) for Barcelona in the competition.

The 28-year-old also went level with another legendary Brazilian, Ronaldo Nazario, in terms of overall goals scored for Barcelona (48).

Chasing Lionel Messi now

Raphinha, with his brace, also became the highest goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League this season. Now, the in-form Barcelona captain has a record owned by the great Lionel Messi in his sight.

Messi’s record in sight. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Indeed, only Lionel Messi has scored more goals than Raphinha’s tally of 11 in a single Champions League campaign while wearing a Barcelona shirt.

The Argentine holds the club record for most goals in a single edition of the tournament, having netted 14 times in the 2011/12 season.

With Barça now through to the quarter-finals, Raphinha will have at least two matches to equal or go past the record of the former Barcelona captain and club legend.

Should the Blaugrana go all the way to the final, he could still have five more matches to add to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s tally from 2011/12.

The absolute Champions League record for goals in a single season is held by Cristiano Ronaldo, who went on to bag 17 goals during the 2013/14 campaign.