On May 22, FC Barcelona announced the extension of Raphinha's contract until 2028. Excellent news for Blaugrana supporters. With Lamine Yamal, the Auriverde international (36 caps, 11 goals) was one of the great architects of the very good 2024/2025 season for the club culé (Liga-Coupe du Roi double, Champions League semi-final). With a record of 34 goals and 26 assists in 57 matches, all competitions combined, the Brazilian was often cited as one of the favorites for the Ballon d'Or, before being left behind by his young teammate and Parisian Ousmane Dembélé.
Today, Raphinha returned for a fourth season with Barça. With 3 goals and 2 offerings to his account (in 7 matches), the Blaugrana number 11 is off to a good start. However, he revealed that last season almost ended up being his last with the Culés. Courted by Al-Hilal, the Brazilian admitted, in an interview with ESPN Brazilhaving thought about prioritizing the future of his family over his career, just before signing his extension. “I've been playing football since I was 15, I've had good and bad times everywhere I've been, and then there came a time when I thought it was time to take care of myself and my family. The proposal we received from Saudi Arabia touched me a lot, it would resolve my personal situation, that of my parents, my son, many people. »
Narrowly saved by Hansi Flick
Fortunately for Barça fans, Hansi Fick was able to find the right words to convince him to stay. “Obviously we thought about leaving, I thought maybe it was time to leave, but we spoke with the coach, first on the phone and then at the start of preseason, and he managed to convince me to stay. And fortunately he convinced me.» If he does not regret having stayed in Catalonia, Raphinha has, however, not forgotten the behavior of certain Barça leaders. He did not want to name them, but the Brazilian assures that many would have preferred to see him pack up, from his first season in Spain.
“A lot of people wanted me to leave. I can't name them all. Suddenly I wasn't doing what they thought I should do, what they thought I should do. I have always had a clear conscience about what I was able to contribute. I gave it my all. Maybe they wanted 30 goals a season, which isn't really my thing. I'm not a center forward. I am a player who helps a lot with his commitment, his dedication, his work, that's Raphinha. I will always give the best of myself. (…) As I was not the player they expected, many wanted me to leave the club, thought I had no future there, from my first season. It was really very palpable. (…) I know who I am, everything I did, everything I went through to get here. It's not the opinion of those who don't know me, who don't know half of what I've been through, that will disturb me.»And today, his performances and the support of his coach make Raphinha an indisputable Barça player!
