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Raphinha stays grounded after Barcelona rout Feyenoord 5-1

Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona thrashed Feyenoord in the Champions League opener, praising Lamine Yamal and brushing off Ballon d'Or talk.

Raphinha in Barcelona's dark kit battles a Feyenoord player in red and white stripes for the ball

Barcelona opened their 2026/27 Champions League campaign with a 5-1 victory over Feyenoord at the Camp Nou, a result that prompted Raphinha to urge his teammates to maintain perspective and keep the team's early-season form grounded.

Playing in front of our fans, we have to play almost perfect football. We have been very good from the start, controlling the match. Starting like this gives us a lot of confidence," Raphinha said.

Raphinha scored twice at the Camp Nou, taking his tally to eight goals in five games in all competitions since moving into a central striking role. The captain said the team must keep mistakes to a minimum over what remains a long season, and when asked about his own form offered only a smile and "I'm working on scoring goals."

The Brazilian also had time for Lamine Yamal, who curled in a free-kick to complete the scoring. Raphinha said he could tell his team-mate was drifting out of the match and tried to reassure him a goal was coming, adding that he was pleased for the 19-year-old, who has scored 47 times for Barcelona since joining in August 2023. Asked about being left off the Ballon d'Or shortlist, Raphinha declined to discuss it, saying only that his focus was on Barcelona's season.

Gabriel Jesus scored his first goal for the club with a header after Feyenoord had briefly pulled one back, while Karim Adeyemi had earlier doubled Barcelona's lead with a long-range strike. For Feyenoord, full-back Givairo Valente told Ziggo Sport that Barcelona were "a couple of sizes too big" for his side, adding that the Dutch side had played well in spells but were punished for their mistakes. Sem Steijn's late strike stood as some consolation after Nacho Ferri had an earlier goal ruled out.

Barcelona's start under new management continues a wider pattern across Spanish football this season, with Real Madrid already beaten at Betis.

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