The winger Raphinha is one of the pillars of this Barça team, on and off the field. The number 11 returned from injury in Saturday’s win over Athletic Club after almost two months on the sidelines. Now, he is about to return to the Champions League, a competition in which he was top scorer and top assister last season.
Happy to be back
Despite being back in the squad he is still not quite at 100%. “Being able to play again is special for me after two difficult months out,” confessed the Brazilian in the pre-game press conference in London ahead of his team’s meeting with Chelsea on Tuesday. “I had two relapses and I admit my part in that as I wanted to come back as soon as possible,” he added.
It is unlikely he will play 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge but the winger is still excited about the chance to help the team. “I have missed the team more than they have missed me. I am someone who wants to give everything on the field and I hope I can help the team when I am on the field. I need to get match fit to give my best and what the fans expect of me,” explained Raphinha.
The forward sees Lamine Yamal and Chelsea’s Estevão as two great talents for the future. For Raphinha the overriding ambition for Barça is “win the Champions League” after coming close last season.
The Brazil international also mentioned that he felt overlooked last season when it came to individual awards. “I think I deserved more,” he said. The statistics do nothing but back him up.
“It was a dream to play for Barça”
During the press conference in London, the winger was asked about a possible move to Chelsea the summer he came to Barça. “As of the last game for Leeds I knew about Barça’s interest and that of Chelsea. In my head my dream was to play for Barça. They are two great clubs but I closed my eyes to other offers,” he added.
Raphinha went on to express his like for playing at Stamford Bridge, remembering his goal there in 2021 for Leeds united. Tuesday would be a great day to make it two at Chelsea’s home ground.
