All eyes are on Camp Nou this Sunday as Barcelona prepares for the most anticipated fixture in Spanish football—El Clásico against Real Madrid. And there's good news for the Blaugrana faithful: Brazilian winger Raphinha is set to make his return from injury just in time for the showdown.
In a candid interview with Movistar, the 27-year-old opened up about his recovery, his future at the club, and his thoughts on teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. It's a conversation that offers a rare glimpse into the mindset of a player who's been through the wringer but is ready to make his mark once again.
Raphinha's road back hasn't been easy. A knock sustained during Brazil's friendly in the United States forced him to miss the Champions League quarterfinal against Real Madrid. Instead of rushing back, he took time to recover in his homeland before returning to Barcelona to fine-tune his fitness for the biggest game of the season.
"The rival suits me, maybe," Raphinha said with characteristic directness. "I am looking for my best version again. I'm still a little short. We expect it to be a quite complicated match—they still have mathematical possibilities of winning the league, so they are not going to give us anything. If we win, let's celebrate the league."
When asked about potentially slotting into the right wing in Lamine Yamal's absence, Raphinha showed both humility and respect for his younger teammate. "If I play on the right wing, don't expect anything special because I am not Lamine. Lamine is a star and the things he does," he said, deflecting the pressure onto the 17-year-old prodigy who has taken La Liga by storm.
Speculation about Raphinha's future has been swirling, but the Brazilian put those rumors to rest with a clear message. "I see myself here for many years. I have a contract until 2028 and if the club wants to talk to me, I am open," he stated, reaffirming his commitment to Barcelona.
With Hansi Flick opting for caution in last week's match against Osasuna, all signs point to Raphinha playing a pivotal role tonight. For Barcelona fans, his return couldn't come at a better time—and for neutral observers, it adds another layer of intrigue to an already explosive El Clásico.