Hansi Flick, Barcelona manager
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
Barcelona have made an early statement in the 2026/27 La Liga title race, opening their biggest advantage at this stage of a season since 2017/18.
Hansi Flick’s side have taken maximum points from their opening seven matches, leaving them on 21 points. Atletico Madrid and Real Betis sit on 16, while Real Madrid are already six points behind on 15.
The gap is being driven by an attack that has taken another step forward. Barcelona have scored 31 goals in seven league games, 10 more than they managed over the same period last season.
Barcelona’s attacking numbers are setting the pace
An average of 4.2 goals per game explains why Barcelona have commanded an early lead.
To put it in perspective, Flick’s side has scored 15 more goals than Atletico, 13 more than Real Madrid and 22 more than Betis.
🚨 Barcelona have opened their biggest lead at this stage of a LaLiga season since 2017/18.
After 7 games:
– Barça: 21 points
– Atlético: 16
– Betis: 16
– Real Madrid: 15
Flick’s side have also scored 31 goals, 10 more than at the same stage last season. pic.twitter.com/WHwrw3nkEP
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) September 23, 2026
Their superiority has been particularly obvious away from home, where they have scored 11 more goals than both Madrid clubs while conceding three fewer.
Barça are creating a significant attacking gap between themselves and the teams expected to challenge them for the title.
Last season’s opening seven rounds produced six wins and a draw, with Barcelona scoring 21 times. This time, they have already added another 10 goals while maintaining a perfect record.
That attacking explosion has also given Flick a clear focal point in Raphinha.
Raphinha gives Barcelona a familiar goalscoring reference
Raphinha has scored 12 La Liga goals already, including consecutive hat-tricks, putting him on a goalscoring pace reminiscent of Lionel Messi’s early-season impact in 2017/18.
Hansi Flick, Barcelona manager
Barcelona are flying under Hansi Flick. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Messi had scored 11 times after seven matches that season as Barcelona established an early advantage at the top.
The comparison is not about placing the two players on the same level, but it shows the scale of Raphinha’s start. Crucially, he is not carrying Barcelona’s attack alone.
Lamine Yamal has emerged as the creative counterpart capable of producing goals, assists and moments that change matches, giving Flick two elite attacking outlets rather than relying on a single scorer.
That combination has helped Barcelona build a six-point cushion over Real Madrid before the season has even reached its first international stretch.
The margin is still early, but the obvious numbers make this start considerably harder to dismiss as a short-term surge.