Barcelona Sets Stunning 21st-Century Scoring Record That Even Messi’s Teams Didn’t Reach

Barcelona has kicked off this season in a way few attacking teams in their history could rival. Under Hansi Flick, they have already netted 36 goals across their first eight competitive matches, marking the highest total ever at this stage in club history.

This figure is not just impressive for Barcelona; it stands as the second-best in La Liga's records, behind only Sevilla’s 1940/41 squad.

Breaking Down the Numbers

The goal tally becomes even more striking when individual performances are examined. The team has recorded seven braces and two hat-tricks so far, adding up to nine multi-goal displays before the season has fully taken shape.

Raphinha and Lamine Yamal Lead the Charge

Besides a 2-0 win over Athletic Club, Barcelona has scored three or more goals in every league and Champions League game.

Raphinha is spearheading the attack with 14 goals, including braces against Elche, Rayo Vallecano, and Feyenoord, plus consecutive hat-tricks versus Racing Santander and Sevilla. His other goals came against Athletic and Valencia, meaning he has scored in every match except the one against Levante.

Lamine Yamal, the teenager, is close behind with seven goals. He bagged braces against Rayo Vallecano, Valencia, and Levante and scored against Racing. Along with four assists, he shares the top assist spot with Anthony Gordon.

Fermin Lopez completes the top scoring trio, with a brace against Elche and goals against Athletic and Valencia, scoring in three of the first four games.

Surpassing Even the Messi Era

The frequency of these scoring bursts is arguably more remarkable than the overall number. The seven braces and two hat-tricks by Barcelona players represent the best start to a season in the 21st century, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Even during Lionel Messi’s peak seasons, the team never matched nine multi-goal individual performances in their first eight games. In 2016/17, Barcelona had four braces and two hat-tricks during the same period, totaling 14 goals from those efforts. Messi himself had two braces and one hat-trick, while Luis Suarez contributed a brace and a hat-trick, and Arda Turan added two goals.

Flick Builds on a Consistent Scoring Trend

These individual scoring feats aren't new under Hansi Flick. Last season saw plenty of similar performances, with Robert Lewandowski scoring two braces, Yamal one, and Raphinha both a brace and a hat-trick. Five braces were recorded last season among Lewandowski, Raphinha, Fermin, Marcus Rashford, and Ferran Torres.

The major difference now is how quickly these performances are piling up. With 36 goals already tallied, Flick’s side is on track to etch this start into football history.

• Team: Barcelona
• Manager: Hansi Flick
• Total goals (first 8 matches): 36
• Multi-goal performances: 7 braces, 2 hat-tricks (9 total)
• Top scorers: Raphinha (14 goals), Lamine Yamal (7 goals), Fermin Lopez (multiple goals)
• La Liga historical comparison: Second highest team total after Sevilla (1940/41)