Barcelona star Raphinha put in a stellar performance against Bayern Munich on Wednesday with an incredible hat-trick as the Spanish giants beat their opponents 4-1 at the Nou Camp.
The former Leeds United star earned a standing ovation after his stunning goals in what is, without a doubt, the best display of his career.
In a match littered with sub-plots, Barca boss Hansi Flick was facing his former side for the first time and showed no mercy to his old employers.
Raphinha opened the scoring after just 57 seconds as Bayern's extremely high line was immediately punished.
Raphinha was compared to Lionel Messi for his display
Reuters
Harry Kane equalised with a fine finish soon after one effort was ruled out for offside but Robert Lewandowski, once of Bayern Munich, put the hosts ahead again when Fermin Lopez fed the Poland international.
A stunning pass from Marc Casado, promoted from Barcelona B, saw Raphinha grab his second of the night on the stroke of half-time.
The Brazilian cut inside from the left-hand flank and placed a gorgeous finish through Dayot Upamecano's legs.
That was a real sucker punch for Vincent Kompany's side, who despite the scoreline had been largely in control and looked threatening with every attack.
Bayern's attacking force faded quickly in the second half as Barcelona assumed control, though Manuel Neuer did not help with a few awry passes that led to panic around the Munich box.
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But the Raphinha show resumed after half-time with arguably the best strike of the lot.
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal executed a jaw-dropping pass to find the 27-year-old rampaging through on goal with Bayern's defence trailing.
And running with pace, the forward finished into the corner with astonishing power and accuracy, whizzing the ball past a sprawling Neuer.
It completed a remarkable hat-trick before Flick subbed him off for Dani Olmo as the 90,000 fans at the Nou Camp all stood up and applauded him.
Raphinha is now the main man at Barcelona
Reuters
And fans on social media were full of adoration for the Brazil international, who spent two years at Elland Road from 2020 to 2022.
One fan said: "I’m absolutely speechless man, Raphinha’s putting in the best individual performance I’ve seen from a Barca player since Messi."
Another posted: "Saying it right now, Raphinha has been FC Barcelona's most clutch player ever since Messi's departure. He ALWAYS steps up in the big games."
While a third wrote: "Raphinha has turned in to Prime Messi today."
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It comes amid a stunning campaign for Raphinha, who in his third year at the club is now the main man.
Flick handed him the captaincy and it appears to have brought the best out of him, who now has nine goals in 13 appearances this season.
As for Kompany, this was another sobering night for the 38-year-old, whose side are now 23rd in the Champions League table.
There is still plenty of time to turn things around but after two defeats in three, including an incredible victory for Aston Villa, finishing in the top eight might look a little more daunting.
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