Post

Raphinha Appointed Barcelona Captain, First Brazilian to Hold the Role Raphinha has been officially named Barcelona’s captain for the 2026-27 season, marking a historic milestone as the first Brazilian to assume the role at the Catalan club. The 29-year-old forward, who joined from Leeds United in 2022 for approximately €55 million, replaces Marc-André ter Stegen, who left for Ajax on a loan deal. Raphinha’s appointment was confirmed by coach Hansi Flick, who emphasized the importance of having a strong leadership group to guide the team through the upcoming campaign. Flick, who has been with Barcelona for two seasons, highlighted that Raphinha and Pedri were chosen as the primary captains, with the remaining leadership roles determined by a squad vote. “For me, it was important to have two captains,” Flick explained ahead of the team’s LaLiga match against Valencia. “Raphinha is the first, Pedri is the vice captain, and the others were selected by the team.” The leadership group includes Eric García, Frenkie de Jong, and Lamine Yamal, who fill the void left by Ter Stegen and Ronald Araújo, the latter of whom joined Liverpool on a season-long loan. Raphinha, who has been an assistant captain in previous seasons, has already captained Barcelona on multiple occasions due to the frequent absences of Ter Stegen, Araújo, and De Jong. His leadership qualities, combined with his on-field impact, have made him a natural choice for the role. Flick praised Raphinha’s ability to “start the dynamic and the pressing” with his intensity and speed, noting that the forward has been instrumental in the team’s recent performances. The Brazilian player has established himself as a key figure at Barcelona, scoring 80 goals in 180 appearances since joining the club.#hansi_flick #barcelona #raphinha #eric_garcia #pedri

Hansi Flick Shares Lamine Yamal Update Amid Speculation Over His Unhappiness Hansi Flick provided an update on Barcelona’s 17-year-old star Lamine Yamal following speculation about the player’s apparent unhappiness after being substituted during a recent La Liga match. The coach addressed rumors circulating on social media, which suggested Yamal was dissatisfied with his role in the game against Elche. Flick clarified the situation, stating that Yamal had experienced a minor issue during the match. The coach explained that Yamal had been suffering from a headache, which led to his substitution. Flick emphasized that the young player’s recent workload had been limited, as he had taken three weeks off and only participated in a few training sessions prior to the game. This, he noted, was a normal occurrence and did not indicate any serious health concerns. “It’s understandable that he’s not at his peak,” Flick said, adding that the team would work to help Yamal return to his best form. Despite the substitution, Flick praised Yamal’s contributions during his 60 minutes on the field. He highlighted the player’s impact on the team’s performance, particularly during the first goal and his assist to Raphinha in the second. “He pressed very well on the first goal and on the second he passed the ball to Raphinha. He gives us more options,” Flick said. He also noted that Yamal’s presence had been invaluable to the team, describing him as an exceptional talent. Flick also addressed Yamal’s attitude toward being substituted, stating that it was natural for the player to want to stay on the pitch. “It’s normal that he wants to play. When you’re a true champion, you always strive to win the next title,” the coach said.#la_liga #hansi_flick #barcelona #lamine_yamal #elche

Barcelona vs Athletic Club: La Liga Match Preview and Transfer Updates Barcelona and Athletic Club are set to clash in a highly anticipated La Liga encounter at the Camp Nou on August 27, with both teams aiming to make a strong start to their campaigns. The Catalan giants, who secured their second consecutive league title last season, will look to build on their five-star opening match against Elche, while Athletic, who suffered a 3-1 defeat to Sevilla in their season opener, will seek to bounce back. The match, scheduled for 9pm local time (19:00 GMT), will be broadcast live by Al Jazeera Sport, with coverage beginning at 16:00 GMT. Barcelona, led by manager Hansi Flick, are in pursuit of a historic treble, having already claimed back-to-back league titles. The team’s recent performance against Elche, where they dominated possession and scored five goals, has raised expectations for their title defense. However, the club faces uncertainty in the transfer market, particularly regarding their quest for striker Julian Alvarez. Despite persistent interest in the 26-year-old Argentine, who missed training due to illness, Atletico Madrid has refused to sell him. Barcelona president Joan Laporta has emphasized the club’s determination, stating, “Alvarez or nobody,” while Flick expressed confidence in his squad despite the ongoing pursuit. The transfer saga has intensified with reports suggesting Atletico may be open to selling Alvarez, though the striker’s future remains unclear. Laporta reiterated Barcelona’s commitment to securing him, stating the club would “maintain our proposal” to Atletico. Meanwhile, other clubs like Arsenal and Real Madrid have also been linked to Alvarez, though Real’s initial bid was not seen as serious.#hansi_flick #barcelona #athletic_club #joan_laporta #lamine_yamal

Barcelona Secures 2-0 LaLiga Win Over Athletic Club in Rodri’s Debut Barcelona claimed a 2-0 victory over Athletic Club in their LaLiga opener, marking the debut of Madrid midfielder Rodrigo Hernández, known as Rodri, in a blaugrana shirt. The Catalan side, led by the clinical finishing of Brazilian forward Raphinha and the midfield authority of Pedri, dominated the match at the Spotify Camp Nou, despite a valiant effort from Athletic’s goalkeeper Unai Simón. The win, secured with goals from Raphinha in the 37th minute and Fermín López in the 82nd, highlighted the team’s attacking prowess and tactical adjustments under manager Xavi Flick. The match began with a subdued atmosphere at the stadium, as fans displayed pro-independence flags following a canceled tribute to the eight blaugrana world champions. The incident involved Catalan police officers striking a Barcelona fan in Elche after seizing a pro-independence estelada flag, prompting a significant number of supporters to display the flag during the game. Despite this, the focus quickly shifted to the action on the pitch. Barcelona’s new-look squad, featuring academy products and fresh signings, gradually took control of the game after a slow start. A left-footed strike by Lamine Yamal, parried by Simón, sparked the home side, which soon found its rhythm. Raphinha emerged as the standout performer, scoring the opening goal in the 37th minute with a clinical finish after receiving a perfect vertical pass from Pedri. The Brazilian, who had previously played as a central striker, showcased his versatility by dribbling past Simón and tapping the ball into the net. Pedri, operating as the midfield orchestrator, controlled the tempo of the game, dictating play and creating opportunities for both Raphinha and the emerging talent Lamine Yamal.#barcelona #raphinha #athletic_club #pedri #xavi_flick