Latest Raphinha News & Updates

Madrid, April 15 (IANS) Barcelona forward Rapinha did not hold back in criticism and launched a scathing attack on ​the refereeing after his team was knocked out of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals by Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. Barcelona’s 2–1 win in the return leg was not enough to overturn a 2–0 deficit from the first match, as they lost the tie 3–2 on aggregate against their Spanish rivals.“For me, this match was a robbery. Not just this match but the other one as well….

Barcelona, April 2 (IANS) Spanish football giant Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, has slammed FIFA over what he described as a congested and poorly planned international calendar after the team’s prime player, Raphinha, suffered a hamstring injury while representing Brazil.The injury occurred during an international friendly against France, leaving FC Barcelona without one of their most in-form attackers at a crucial stage of the season.Laporta did not hold back in his criticism of the sched…

Mexico City, April 1 (IANS) The remaining places for this year’s FIFA World Cup were finalised, capping a qualifying campaign that spanned nearly three years and setting the stage for the tournament’s first 48-team edition. The competition will be held across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. The expanded format has opened the door to new contenders while leaving several established powers and high-profile players on the outside looking in.Absent giantsItaly will miss…

Madrid, March 28 (IANS) FC Barcelona’s La Liga and UEFA Champions League title hopes have suffered a big setback after Raphinha suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty for Brazil, playing in a pre-World Cup friendly.The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed on Friday that Raphinha suffered the injury in his right hamstring during Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to France in a friendly. The forward will leave the Brazilian squad to return to Barcelona for treatment, reports Xinhua.This…

Madrid, March 19 (IANS) FC Barcelona stormed into the Champions League quarterfinals after routing Newcastle United 7-2 at Camp Nou for an 8-3 aggregate victory.After last week’s 1-1 draw in Newcastle left the tie finely poised, Barcelona blew it open with a ruthless second-half display. Fermin Lopez, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha led the way as the Spanish side overwhelmed Newcastle after the break.The first half had been a breathless affair in front of 60,000 fans, with five goals and chance…

Madrid, March 3 (IANS) Real Sociedad are the favourites to book a ticket to the final of the Copa del Rey in a Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday. Real Sociedad won 1-0 in Athletic Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium in February through Benat Turrientes’ goal.Athletic Bilbao have improved since that game, partly due to the return of players such as Dani Vivian, Yuri Berchiche, and Oihan Sancet from injury. At the same time, winger Alex Berenguer also appeared as a substitute in Saturday’s …

Madrid, March 2 (IANS) FC Barcelona face a massive task on Tuesday when they face Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal, looking to overhaul a 4-0 deficit from the first leg.Atletico ripped Barcelona to shreds in the first leg of the semifinal, with Giuliano Simeone and Ademola Lookman finding holes in the high defensive line and creating a host of chances in the first half to leave Hansi Flick’s side defeated and shell-shocked.Three weeks down the line, Barcelona have …

Madrid, Feb 17 (IANS) FC Barcelona surrendered top spot in La Liga after a 2-1 defeat to Girona which exposed the defensive fragility that has troubled Hansi Flick’s side in recent weeks.Pau Cubarsi’s header put Barcelona ahead just before the hour, but Girona hit back almost immediately through Thomas Lemar before Fran Beltran’s late strike sealed the comeback. The result leaves Real Madrid top of the table following Saturday’s win over Real Sociedad.If Flick was looking for signs of improvemen…

Madrid, Feb 13 (IANS) Atletico Madrid stunned Copa del Rey holder and La Liga leader Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal on Friday.An own goal and strikes from Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman and Julian Alvarez gave Atletico a 4-0 advantage to take into the return leg at the Camp Nou on March 3, reported Xinhua.Atletico produced a blistering first-half display, with Barcelona unable to cope with the home side’s aggression and pace. Diego Simeone’s team repeatedly punish…

Jeddah, Jan 12 (IANS) Raphinha was FC Barcelona’s hero as his side retained the Spanish Super Cup with a 3-2 win over Real Madrid.The Brazilian scored his side’s first goal and then netted the winner in the second half with a touch of fortune to decide a thrilling game where Madrid looked for an equalizer until the final moments.Madrid started with Kylian Mbappe in the bench and Dean Huijsen in for Antonio Rudiger in defense, with coach Xabi Alonso adopting a pragmatic policy of getting his side…