12 Goals In 7 Games: Former Leeds United Star Is Taking Europe By Storm

Leeds United have made a strong return to the Premier League this season and there is already plenty of excitement around what Daniel Farke can achieve with his squad.

The Whites have taken nine points from their opening five league matches and currently sit fifth in the Premier League table. The goalless draw against Crystal Palace at Elland Road was not the performance Leeds supporters wanted, but it has not changed the positive feeling around the club.

There are still plenty of games to come, and Farke has built a team that looks capable of competing well in the Premier League.

However, while Leeds are focusing on their own progress, one former Elland Road favourite is producing numbers that are impossible to ignore in Spain.

Raphinha has started the 2026/27 campaign in outstanding form for Barcelona and is currently one of the biggest attacking stories in European football.

The Brazilian has scored 12 goals in just seven La Liga appearances, including two hat-tricks in his last two league matches. He is also wearing the captain’s armband for Barcelona and has become a major part of Hansi Flick’s plans.

For Leeds supporters, there is an obvious reason to keep an eye on his progress.

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Raphinha Has Taken His Game To Another Level At Barcelona

It feels like a long time ago that Raphinha was running down the wing at Elland Road, but the Brazilian remains a player who is remembered very fondly by Leeds supporters.

He joined Leeds from Rennes in 2020 and quickly became one of the most exciting players at the club. His ability to take on defenders, create chances and score important goals made him a huge favourite with the fans.

Raphinha eventually left Leeds for Barcelona in 2022, but his career has continued to move forward since that transfer.

His latest run of form, though, has taken things to another level.

The 29-year-old has started all seven of Barcelona’s La Liga matches this season and has scored 12 times. He has also registered three assists in the competition, giving him 15 goal contributions in seven league appearances.

His most recent performance was particularly impressive.

Barcelona travelled to Sevilla and went behind early in the game, but Raphinha responded with a hat-trick as Flick’s side eventually won 3-1.

That was his second consecutive league hat-trick after he also scored three times against Racing Santander in Barcelona’s previous league match.

That means Raphinha has scored six goals across his last two La Liga games alone.

It is a remarkable run for a player who is normally known as a winger.

Flick has also changed his role this season, using Raphinha more centrally as a No.9. Barcelona themselves have highlighted how well the Brazilian has adapted to the new position.

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Raphinha’s 2026/27 Numbers

His 12 goals also put him at the top of the La Liga scoring charts at this stage of the campaign. Opta’s player data shows that he has scored in two consecutive league matches and has already produced three assists.

Barcelona have also made a perfect start to their league campaign, winning all seven of their opening matches. Raphinha has been at the heart of that run.

There is also some serious historical context to his numbers.

Barcelona say his 12 goals after seven league games represent the third-best start in La Liga history, with only Esteban Echevarría and Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of him at this stage.

That shows just how special his current form has been.

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Could Raphinha Ever Return To Leeds United?

Naturally, Leeds supporters will always wonder whether there could be a chance of seeing Raphinha back at Elland Road one day.

The emotional side of the story is easy to understand.

Raphinha has spoken positively about his time at Leeds since leaving the club, and there remains a strong connection between the player and the supporters.

But football transfers are not normally decided by emotion alone.

At 29, Raphinha is playing some of the best football of his career and Barcelona have little reason to let him leave while he continues producing goals at this level.

His current importance to Flick’s side is clear, especially after becoming a more central attacking figure and taking on the responsibility of captain.

Barcelona have also recently indicated that Raphinha has agreed a new contract which could keep him at the club until 2030, making a return to England even harder to imagine in the short term.

For Leeds, that means the most realistic thing supporters can do is enjoy watching a former favourite continue to shine at the highest level.

Raphinha’s Leeds spell helped establish him in English football, and his development since then has taken him to one of the biggest clubs in the world.

His current numbers are also a reminder of just how good he became after leaving Elland Road.

The Brazilian is not simply scoring a few goals in Spain. He has already reached 12 league goals in seven matches, scored consecutive hat-tricks and become one of Barcelona’s most important players.

Leeds may have plenty of reasons to be excited about their own squad under Farke, but supporters can still take pride in watching one of their former stars producing spectacular numbers on the European stage.

A return to Elland Road may be difficult to imagine right now, but Raphinha’s connection with Leeds means his progress will certainly continue to be followed closely by the Whites faithful.

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