Barcelona captain Raphinha revealed on Friday his ambition to prolong his tenure at the club and ultimately conclude his playing career in Catalonia, following a remarkable goal-scoring spree at the start of the season.
Since stepping into a more advanced attacking role after the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, the Brazilian winger has adapted swiftly, finding the back of the net 11 times in just seven matches. This prolific form has bolstered his confidence in committing to the club for the foreseeable future.
“Yes, I intend to extend my contract,” Raphinha told RAC1 radio. “When I first renewed, I signed until 2028, expecting to be around 30 or 31 years old, not knowing how things would develop. Given how I have started this season, I believe I can continue for several more years and would be very happy to extend my contract and hopefully finish my career here without needing to move elsewhere,” added the 29-year-old.
Leadership and Growth Under Flick
Elevated to captaincy at the beginning of the season, Raphinha stepped into the leadership role following the exits of Ronald Araujo and Marc-Andre ter Stegen, alongside a knee injury sidelining Frenkie de Jong. His rise coincides with a pivotal period for the club.
Having joined Barcelona in 2022 after his spell at Leeds United, Raphinha’s trajectory transformed notably with the arrival of coach Hansi Flick two years later. Under Flick’s guidance, the winger has flourished, overcoming earlier frustrations experienced during Xavi Hernandez’s tenure.
To date, Raphinha has amassed 86 goals in 184 appearances for the club, with an impressive 66 goals scored under Flick’s management. The German coach has steered Barcelona to consecutive La Liga titles in his two seasons at the helm, further highlighting the successful era that coincides with Raphinha’s personal development.
In the club’s recent 7-2 demolition of their rivals on Wednesday, Raphinha’s influence was again on display as he recorded a hat-trick, underscoring his importance to the team’s attacking prowess.