Barcelona took a big bet 2 1/2 years ago that it could mortgage its future for the quick cash that the indebted club desperately needed to sign some major names. It took a chunk of the money it received from selling off future television rights and other assets and paid a combined 160 million euros (then $163 million) to bring in top striker Robert Lewandowski,

Robert Lewandowski is out on his own as top scorer with nine goals. Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski struck two penalties on Matchday 7 to stay clear as the top scorer in this season's Champions League.

Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha the first duo to both reach twenty goals across the five major European leagues this season

The UEFA Champions League returns on Wednesday with Matchday 8, which could very well be the most hectic, chaotic day in terms of results that the sport has ever seen. All 38 teams will be in action as 19 games will take place simultaneously at 3 p.

Barcelona's risky strategy of selling future assets has paid off with major players like Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha improving the team's performance. Raphinha, once sidelined, is now a key scorer and leader under coach Hansi Flick.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick hailed his side’s commitment as it ended a four-match La Liga winless streak with a 7-1 hammering of Valencia on Sunday.

Robert Lewandowski equalled Cristiano Ronaldo's Champions League record after starring in Barcelona's win over Benfica.

The 28-year-old Brazilian and Lewandowski are by far the most prolific duo in Europe's top leagues this season, with a combined 46 goals in all competitions. Next are Kane and Jamal Musiala at Bayern with 36, followed by Liverpool's Salah and Luis Diaz on 33.

Barcelona overwhelmed Valencia in the Spanish league with four players scoring in the first 24 minutes of a 7-1 rout Frenkie de Jong opened in the third minute, Ferran Torres added to the lead in the eighth,

Barcelona snapped their four-match winless streak in LaLiga with an emphatic 7-1 victory over Valencia on Sunday.

Barcelona returned to winning ways at home in La Liga with a dominant 7-1 win against Valencia, with five of the goals in the first half, at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday.

Lewandowski's team-mate Raphinha also scored a double in that game, including a last-minute winner, and the Brazilian is just one behind in the charts for this season with a total of eight.