'Unbelievable' Raphinha Leading Barcelona Into Tricky Triple-Header

Raphinha has shone for Barcelona in their strong start to the season and the Catalan giants will need to lean on the Brazil winger even more ahead of a pivotal week. Hansi Flick's La Liga leaders host Sevilla on Sunday before a tantalising Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Wednesday and then a Clasico battle against Real Madrid the following Saturday. Madrid, meanwhile, visit Celta Vigo after giving their support to star forward Kylian Mbappe after Swedish media reported that he is being investigated for an alleged rape during a visit to Stockholm.

An internal club source, who spoke to AFP on condition of their identity not being revealed, described the accusations against the French player as "the biggest fake in the history of sport".

Raphinha is Barcelona's only regular attacking star who has been able to stay fit, with question marks over the rest of the team's usual front line.

Striker Robert Lewandowski sat out Poland's Nations League draw with Croatia on Tuesday with a knock, while Barcelona have diagnosed teenage winger Lamine Yamal with a minor hamstring strain.

Ferran Torres is sidelined with a thigh injury for several weeks and playmaker Dani Olmo is recovering from a hamstring problem.

By contrast Raphinha struck twice for Brazil in a 4-0 win over Peru which helped them gain back ground in South American World Cup 2026 qualifying.

The winger has six goals and six assists this season for Barcelona in 11 matches across all competitions.

"I am very happy for him, it's unbelievable what he's doing," said Flick after another stellar Raphinha display in Barcelona's last outing, a 3-0 win at Alaves.

"His dynamic is really good and I think that he can still get even better."

Raphinha's first two seasons at