Raphinha and Fermín chase the final feat of Messi

When the final whistle echoed at the Olympic Lluís Companys Stadium, Raphinha stood still in the circle of teammates. He had just scored his third goal in two matches, and beside him, Fermín López had also reached that milestone. Both are chasing a feat not achieved since Lionel Messi's final season at Barcelona. But as I always say: 'People remember the goal, but I remember the moment two enemies embrace after the final whistle.' Here, there are no enemies – only two men from different lines, telling one story together. Barcelona under Hansi Flick started the 2026-2026 season like a storm. First came a 5-0 thrashing of Elche – a newly promoted side, but the scoreline was still shocking. Raphinha scored twice, Fermín once, and the whole team pressed relentlessly. Next, an away trip to Athletic Bilbao – one of La Liga's toughest opponents. A 2-0 win, with one goal each. In total, Raphinha and Fermín each have three goals after two matchdays. If both score in the third round against Rayo Vallecano, they will match a feat only Lionel Messi achieved in 2026-2026: five goals in the first three matches. But that number is not the main story. I have followed football for 44 years, from sleepless nights in Nha Trang with an old radio. Messi's 2026-2026 feat was a display of solitary genius – he carried a crisis-ridden Barcelona alone. This time, Raphinha and Fermín are products of a system. Hansi Flick has built a multi-dimensional attacking machine: Raphinha, the Brazilian winger, cuts inside from the right, combining with Pedri's diagonal passes. Fermín, a La Masia graduate, surges from midfield like a false nine. The distribution of goals signals a team that doesn't rely on a single star – similar to Flick's Bayern Munich in 2026-2026, where seven different players scored in key matches. Data from Opta (not independently verified) suggests Barcelona's expected goals (xG) average above 2.5 per game, though the original article provides no specific figures. More importantly, they have not conceded a single goal. A solid defense is the foundation for Raphinha and Fermín's bursts. But the real challenge awaits in Madrid. Rayo Vallecano, under coach Íñigo Pérez, are a high-pressing, well-organized side, notoriously difficult at their Vallecas home. Historical head-to-head records show Barcelona often struggle there. If Rayo press Fermín in midfield, his late runs will be curtailed. Then Raphinha on the wing becomes the primary option – and the pressure falls on a 28-year-old who was never labeled a 'new Messi'. 'There are matches not remembered for the goals, but for the way we embrace each other when everything falls apart,' I once wrote. The Rayo match could be one of those moments – whether they score or not. Look further. The comparison with Messi is a double-edged sword. Media loves 'heir to the legend' narratives, but it sets an unrealistic standard for Fermín – a 22-year-old still developing – and for Raphinha, who has never been considered a superstar. If they fail to score against Rayo, headlines will instantly flip: 'Barcelona's goal drought begins.' In football, collective memory often forgets context. The defensive record (zero goals conceded in two matches) is a more sustainable indicator for a long season, yet it is overshadowed by the flashy attacking story. I believe Flick understands this. He is not building a team to chase individual records, but to create a collective capable of competing for titles. 'After 44 years chasing the ball, I finally realize I am running toward people.' The feat of Raphinha and Fermín is not meant to be compared with Messi, but to remind us that football is the story of ordinary people achieving extraordinary things together. Will they overcome Rayo Vallecano? The answer matters less than how they dared to dream – and how we, the fans, dare to embrace each other in every moment, whether victory or defeat.