Sevilla's Luis García: 'It's a joke' Raphinha not Ballon d'Or nominee after another Barcelona hat trick

Sevilla coach Luis García said it is a joke Raphinha is not among the Ballon d'Or nominees after watching the Barcelona forward score a hat trick in his side's 3-1 defeat on Saturday.

Raphinha followed up a midweek treble against Racing Santander with another at the Sánchez-Pizjuán as Barça made it seven wins from seven to start the LaLiga season.

The Brazilian forward has now scored 12 goals in the league -- and 14 in all competitions -- after being converted to a striker this summer.

However, he was absent from the 30-player shortlist for the Ballon d'Or, the most-coveted individual prize in the game, which was announced earlier this month.

"It's a joke that he's not even nominated for the Ballon d'Or," Luis García said in the post-game news conference.

"He is a match winner, that's why I don't believe in these prizes. He does everything."

Sevilla had started well against Barça, taking the lead through Youssouf Fofana as they threatened to become the first side to take points off the Spanish champions this season.

However, like many teams before them over the last month, they could not deal with Raphinha, who levelled before the break and added two more goals in the second half.

"Barcelona are playing at the top level, although what interests me is Sevilla," Luis García added.

"Barça had to be at their best to beat us today. I am proud of the lads."

Raphinha's remarkable form has come after Barça coach Hansi Flick repositioned him as a No.9 following the summer departure of Robert Lewandowski and the club's failure to land Julián Álvarez.

Saturday's hat trick came just hours after Barça sporting director Deco had confirmed an agreement is in place for Raphinha to sign a new contract until 2030, with his current deal up in 2028.

"For the club, it's the best decision to renew Raphinha's deal," Flick said.

"When you see how he connects with the fans, with the team ... He's a leader.

"This season he's been spectacular. The second half today was incredible. We know the quality of Raphinha and we're very happy about him, he gives us a lot.

"The decision to play him through the middle was made by the coaching staff, but with these numbers in these eight games, he's very happy to play as a No.9 as well."

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The victory extended Barça's perfect start to the season to eight wins in all competitions heading into the international break.

Despite that, Flick still saw things against Sevilla he did not like.

"It was a difficult game, especially in the first half," he said.

"We also gave away the ball too easily a lot, that's not usually our level and our standard."

The win takes Barça six points clear at the top of the table temporarily, with second-placed Real Madrid in action on Sunday against rivals Atlético Madrid.

Barca are not in action again until they face Getafe on Oct. 10.