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Raphinha admits he ‘thought about’ leaving Barcelona

Raphinha admits he 'thought about' leaving Barcelona

Raphinha admitted that he “thought about” leaving Barcelona amid a “complicated” period before he was linked to Manchester United & Al-Nassr.

Raphinha’s resurgence has been significant under Hansi Flick and the Brazilian is finally living up to the form that convinced Barcelona to pay a hefty £55m ($72m), with add-ons, to secure his services from Leeds United in 2022. He was in sensational form against Real Valladolid as he led the charge with three goals and two assists to inspire Barcelona to a 7-0 triumph in La Liga.

However, Raphinha’s journey in Spain has not been without its difficulties. He often struggled to find his rhythm in attack and had been pretty inconsistent which had put his future at the club in jeopardy. And the winger admitted in a candid interview with RAC1 that there was a time when he seriously considered leaving the club.

“Did I consider leaving? Yes,” Raphinha confessed. “The first six months were complicated for me and my family. After the World Cup, I improved and managed to finish the season well, but at the beginning, it was very challenging.

“My adaptation to the club was difficult. I knew it was something that had to happen, but not that it would be so difficult on a personal level. This moved my head a little, I sometimes thought about leaving. Not at the end of the season, but in the first half of the season. Barça is a huge club and it is normal for it to be difficult. I wasn’t used to that, but it happened quickly.”

As one of Barcelona’s most valuable assets, Raphinha has often been the subject of transfer speculation, particularly when it comes to potential moves to the Premier League or lucrative offers from Saudi Arabian clubs like Al-Nassr. The Brazilian, however, has expressed his frustration with the constant rumours and again asserted his commitment to staying at Barcelona.

“It’s annoying to see rumours, it’s normal,” he said. “I’m not active on social media, but my wife and friends do see it. Every day there’s a different piece of news, whether I’m going here or there, and that ends up bothering you. The first six months were very hard. I learned that in every transfer window, my name will be there. My head has always been here. Every season I think about doing more than the previous one and showing that I’m capable of being here for many years.”

With Barcelona enjoying a strong start to the new season, Raphinha is already setting his sights on achieving big things with the club. The Brazilian winger is not shy about his ambitions, stating that the minimum objective for Barcelona should be to win the Champions League.

“The minimum objective is to win,” he said. When asked if he was talking about the Champions League, he replied: “Of course. It has to be this one. Playing for Barca makes the main objective to win all the titles: the League, the Champions League, the Cup, the Super Cup… If you are in a club like this and you don’t set yourself that objective, you are in the wrong place.”

Raphinha will look to replicate his scorching form with the Brazilian national team when the Selecao will take on Ecuador and Paraguay in the next set of World Cup qualifiers during the upcoming international break. Bazil are sixth in the CONMEBOL standings and are in desperate need of some individual inspiration to climb up the table. After completing his international commitments, he will return to action with Barcelona on September 15 against Girona.

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Super Falcons Defender Chidimma Ogbuchi Signs 2 years Management Deal With TopPro

Super Falcons and Robo Queens defender Chidimma Ogbuchi has signed a 2-year deal with TopPro Sports Management Company.

While speaking during the sign-on event, the Chief Executive Officer of TopPro Management Company, Ms. Ojuolape Kosoko, welcome the hard-tackling defender to the stable of TopPro, who are renowned for their astuteness, professionalism and reputable global football networks, that has seen several players on his stable including Super Falcons Striker Folashade Ijamilusi, earning lucrative football deals across the globe.

Kosoko, in her address to Chidimma Ogbuchi and her team of minders led by Coach Emmanuel Osahon, advised the player to remain focused, disciplined and of course, passionate about the game, while adding that her company would give the player all the necessary supports for further growth and development.

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Cote d’Ivoire 2025: Zubairu bravely accepts the challenge of North Africans, South Africa

head coach of Flying Eagles, Aliyu Zubairu

 

The head coach of Flying Eagles, Aliyu Zubairu, has voiced his optimism following Thursday’s group stage draw for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations, which will take place in Cote d’Ivoire, 26th April – 18th May.

The Nigerian team finds itself in a demanding group alongside traditional powerhouses Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa, all of whom have a rich history in African youth football.

In his reaction to the draw, Coach Zubairu remarked: “It’s a very good draw. If a team truly aspires to reach the FIFA World Cup, there is no need to shy away from any opponent. Facing Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa at this stage presents a tremendous opportunity. I believe it’s a blessing.” This perspective not only highlights Zubairu’s confidence in his squad’s capabilities but also underscores his commitment to challenging his players against formidable rivals, which can ultimately foster their development and resilience.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Coach Zubairu stressed the necessity of mental preparation as his team gears up for these high-stakes matches. He is keen on instilling a robust sense of self-belief within his players, emphasizing that they should approach every opponent with respect and seriousness.

 

“We need to dispel the notion that this is a ‘group of death,’” he said. “In African football, there are no small teams anymore. The key is to prepare very well. A lesser-known nation can surprise everyone if they come prepared.”

 

To ensure the team is adequately prepared for the task, the NFF has not only put the Flying Eagles in camp to resume training, with a 30-man squad, but has also organised a two-match tour of Cairo for the team to play the Egyptian U20 team at the end of this month. The friendly matches in Cairo have been scheduled for 25th and 27th February

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Cote d’Ivoire 2025: Flying Eagles up against Egypt, South Africa and Morocco

 

Seven-time champions Nigeria will battle it out with tough customers Egypt, South Africa and Morocco in the group phase of this year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations, scheduled for Cote d’Ivoire 26th April – 18th May.

 

The Flying Eagles pipped host nation Egypt 1-0 in a group phase match at the last edition of the competition and must ensure a great start to their campaign in Cote d’Ivoire in order to build confidence for a gritty tournament. Nigeria finished third in Egypt two years ago.

 

Former Malian player Adama Coulibaly, who was an assistant at the draw conducted inside the CAF headquarters in Egypt on Thursday, said: “There is no doubt that the toughest group is the group B that has Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa and Morocco.”

 

Hosts Cote d’Ivoire will have to contend with DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania and the yet-to-emerge representative team of Central Africa zone, in a five-team group A.

 

Cup-holders Senegal head group C, which also has Zambia and two debutants Kenya and Sierra Leone.

 

The two top-placed teams in each group, alongside the best two third-placed finishers in the three groups, will advance to the championship’s quarter finals.  

 

GROUP A: Cote d’Ivoire, UNNIFAC, DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania

 

GROUP B: Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Morocco

 

 

GROUP C: Senegal, Zambia, Kenya, Sierra Leone

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