Barcelona scoring sensation faces his kryptonite – Can he break the curse against Atletico?

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Barcelona scoring sensation faces his kryptonite – Can he break the curse against Atletico?

Raphinha has been one of Barcelona’s standout performers this season. The Brazilian winger has delivered exceptional numbers, scoring 27 goals and providing 19 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions.

His form has been nothing short of sensational, making him a serious contender for the Ballon d’Or.

Week after week, he has proven to be a decisive force for the Catalan club, contributing both as a goal scorer and a creator.

Raphinha’s record vs Atletico Madrid​

However, as Barcelona prepare to take on Atletico Madrid, there is one particular record that Raphinha will be eager to change—his performances against Diego Simeone’s side.

Despite being a key figure in the team, he has yet to score a goal against the Madrid-based club.

Since joining Barcelona, Raphinha has faced Atletico six times—five times in La Liga and once in the Copa del Rey.

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Raphinha has never scored against Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

In those matches, he has been a regular presence in the starting lineup, beginning on the bench only in his first meeting with them in the league.

His record against the capital side stands at four victories, one draw, and one defeat. Notably, Atletico Madrid remains the last team to have defeated Barcelona, securing a win in their final encounter of 2024.

This could be his chance​

While the Brazilian has been unstoppable in front of goal in other competitions—leading the Champions League scoring charts with 11 goals and maintaining a strong tally of 13 in La Liga—he has yet to find the back of the net against Atletico.

He has, however, provided five assists in these clashes, proving that he can still make a difference in big matches.

Atletico’s defensive resilience has played a key role in keeping him at bay. With only 18 goals conceded in La Liga this season, they boast the strongest backline in the competition.

Despite this, Raphinha has been one of the most prolific attackers in Europe, scoring in every major tournament he has played in—La Liga, the Champions League, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

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