"Deserves statue outside new Camp Nou", "Better than Vini Jr" - Fans hail Barcelona star Raphinha as he nets hat-trick against Bayern

Fans reacted as Raphinha's hat-trick powered Barcelona to a commanding 4-1 home win over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday (October 23).

The Brazilian broke the deadlock inside the opening minute at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys before Harry Kane drew the visitors level 17 minutes later. Howrver, Hansi Flick's side were back in front, with Robert Lewandowski scoring against his former side in the 36th minute.

Raphinha added a escond on the cusp of half-time as Flick's side led at the break. Eleven minutes into the second period, the Brazilian completed his hat-trick as Barca took all three points against Bayern.

Fans went ga ga with Raphinha's form, with one tweeting:

"Raphinha deserves a statue outside the new Camp Nou"

Another chimed in:

"Raphinha is better than Vini jnr, to be very honest!"

There were similar reactions from other fans, with one tweeting:

"I love when a new manager gets the best out of a player that seemed out of sorts. Raphinha is a different beast this season."

Another posted:

"Raphinha has turned to a beast under Hansi Flick"

One fan wrote on X:

"What's Raphinha on this season?"

Raphinha has 12 goals and eight assists in 14 games across competitions this season. He also bagged a hat-trick in the 7-0 home win over Real Valladolid in La Liga - where Barcelona are three points clear of second-placed holders Real Madrid (24) after 10 games.

The Brazilian had provided two goal contributions on matchday two of the Champions League, scoring and assisting in a 5-0 home win over Swiss side BSC Young Boys.

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How has Raphinha fared for Barcelona?

Barcelona ttacker Raphinha

Raphina has been a solid performer for Barcelona since arriving from Leeds United in the summer of 2022. Playing his 100th game for the club, the Braziliian made it an occasion to remember by slamming his second hat-trick of the season.

He now has 29 goals and 33 assists in 100 games across competitions. Most of those goal contributions - 18 goals and 23 assists in 74 games in La Liga - which he won in his first season at the club (2022-23) under the legendary Xavi.

Most of Raphinha's other goal contributions have come in Europe - across the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. Apart from the aforementioned La Liga title, he has also won the Supercopa Espana, which he did so in the 2022-23 season.