Raphinha named LaLiga Player of the Month again after 7 goals in Sept

📰 Raphinha has been named LaLiga Player of the Month for the second month running after seven goals, two assists and back-to-back hat-tricks in September. 📌 Key points 🏆 Raphinha won LaLiga's Player of the Month award for September, after also winning it in August. ⚽ He scored 7 and set up 2 in four games, including hat-tricks against Racing and Sevilla. 📈 His 12 league goals put him five clear at the top of the scoring chart. 🧢 It is his third monthly award overall; the first came in August 2024. 🩹 Thigh discomfort on Brazil duty turned out not to be an injury. 📝 What happened 🏆 LaLiga announced Raphinha as its September Player of the Month. The Barcelona captain beat Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Jonathan David (Atlético Madrid), Sergio Camello (Rayo Vallecano) and Fer Niño (Elche) in the final vote, making it two in a row. ⚽ His September was outstanding. After scoring against Valencia, he hit hat-tricks in successive games against Racing Santander (a 7-2 win) and away at Sevilla (a 3-1 win). According to Barcelona, it is his third Player of the Month award, the first having come in August 2024, which puts him joint sixth on the all-time list alongside Robert Lewandowski, among others. 🔵 September's awards were a Barça clean sweep: Hansi Flick was Coach of the Month and João Cancelo won Goal of the Month for his strike against Racing. The team lead the table with seven wins from seven. 🩹 There was a scare. Raphinha scored a penalty for Brazil against Australia just before half-time but came off with discomfort in the back of his right thigh. A scan showed minor muscle oedema and he was released from the squad, but Barcelona's own tests ruled out an injury. 📊 By the numbers • September: 4 games, 7 goals, 2 assists • League goals: 12 (Mbappé, Yamal and Camello next on 7) • Player of the Month awards: 3 (August 2024, August 2026, September 2026) • Barcelona's league record: 7 wins from 7, 21 points 🔭 Why it matters Raphinha is leading Barcelona's perfect start as captain, and at this rate he could run away with the Pichichi race early. Barça host Getafe on 10 October, with Raphinha expected to be available, before El Clásico against Real Madrid on the 25th.