Raphinha fires first career hat-trick for 'dominant' Barcelona

Raphinha said the 7-0 demolition of Real Valladolid was a statement of intent

Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's first goal with team mate Lamine Yamal during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Valladolid (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Barcelona forward Raphinha said on Saturday that starting the season with four consecutive wins is a statement the players' needed to make to prove their worth.

After scoring the first hat-trick of his career and delivering two assists to guide Barca to a 7-0 demolition of Real Valladolid, Raphinha said that the result showed that the club has the players it needs to be contenders.