With his dazzling performance against the Bundesliga side, Raphinha equalled club legend Messi's tally of 19 goals and assists in a single edition of the European competition, the most for a Blaugrana player in history. 

While the ex-Leeds United star now has 12 goals and seven assists, Messi registered 14 goals and five assists in the 2011-12 Champions League season.

When Raphinha reported for pre-season training with Barcelona last summer, he would have not imagined he would be at the club nine months later, never mind enjoy a dream season.

The Brazilian forward came into the campaign after two underwhelming campaigns following a £55m move from Leeds in 2022.

Since then the 28-year-old has led Barcelona on a Treble pursuit, with the Blaugrana four points clear at the top of La Liga and through to the final of the Copa del Rey.

On Wednesday they placed one foot firmly in the Champions League semi-finals with a 4-0 demolition of Borussia Dortmund in the first-leg of their last-eight tie.

Three more and Raphinha will break the all-time Champions League record, set in 2013-14 when Cristiano Ronaldo contributed to 21 goals in 11 games while at Real Madrid.

Having also created 34 chances in the competition this term, the second most, Raphinha's exploits alongside Lewandowski and Yamal have made him a contender for the 2025 Ballon d'Or.

"I love playing with players of a very high level," he said after the Dortmund encounter. “We are managing to make spectacular numbers and I hope we continue like this.”