The Brazilian has had a sublime season under Hansi Flick, with his goal contributions surpassing Ronaldinho’s best at the club
Barcelona winger Raphinha has signed a new contract to keep him at the club until the summer of 2028, capping off what has been the most remarkable season of his career.
The club confirmed the deal on Thursday, with the renewal marking a significant vote of confidence in the 28-year-old, who is now firmly one of Barcelona’s most vital players.
Raphinha’s performances this season are in stark contrast to the struggles he endured in his first two years at the club. Few in fact would have predicted the turnaround that has happened. After arriving from Leeds United in 2022, Raphinha’s initial spell in La Liga showed a little promise but was mostly frustrating. He delivered 10 goals and 12 assists in his debut campaign, followed by 10 goals and 13 assists last season. Respectable, but only just.
Everything changed under Hansi Flick, however, with the German coach’s arrival last summer seeming to have unlocked something in Raphinha. The winger exploded into form, registering 34 goals and 25 assists in just 56 appearances across all competitions. It surpasses the best that the almighty Ronaldinho delivered in his most productive season at the club.
It’s a stunning rise for a player who openly admitted he was close to leaving the club just a year ago. Last week, after securing the La Liga with a 2-0 win over Espanyol, Raphinha attributed his performances to Flick’s trust, saying: “The most important thing was the confidence of the coach, knowing at the start of the season that he was counting on me.”
Barcelona’s season, buoyed by Raphinha’s brilliance, has seen them win a domestic double. With that and the Ballon d’Or conversation swirling around their captain, the Catalan giants have wasted no time in locking down their star man for the long term.
