Rafael Alcântara equals Lionel Messi’s early-season LaLiga record
Alcântara scored six goals in his team’s first four LaLiga games, a feat Messi achieved twice for Barcelona.
Rafael Alcântara has produced a blistering start to the LaLiga season, joining an exclusive statistical group previously occupied only by Lionel Messi.
Alcântara became just the second player in the 21st century to score six goals in his team’s first four league matches — a mark that Messi reached twice for Barcelona in the 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons.
Two separate milestones in the opening rounds
The Brazilian’s early scoring burst puts him alongside the Argentine legend in a rare category of fast starters in Spain’s top flight. Messi achieved the same six-goal return across the opening four fixtures in two different campaigns for Barcelona, underscoring how unusual Alcântara’s start is.
Another noteworthy start this season came from Anthony Gordon. The Englishman joined a different elite list by recording four assists in his team’s first four LaLiga matches — only Cesc Fàbregas and Luis Suárez had previously managed that feat in the 21st century, both while playing for Barcelona.
Those fast openings — prolific goals from Alcântara and the creative outburst from Gordon — have drawn attention early in the campaign as clubs look to build momentum in LaLiga.
Photo: press material from the event
