Raphinha explains why he believes in a Barcelona miracle against Atlético | OneFootball

Raphinha, one of Barcelona’s captains, exuded confidence as he looked ahead to the decisive Copa del Rey semifinal clash against Atlético de Madrid. After a tough 4-0 defeat in the first leg, the Brazilian forward stated this Wednesday, in an interview with the club’s official channel for fans, that the locker room believes in a comeback.

“We are confident we can play a good match. If there’s a team capable of a comeback, that team is us,” declared the number 11, emphasizing respect for their rivals but maintaining the ambition to reach the final.

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Barcelona’s Unity

At 29 years old and embracing his leadership role, the Brazilian highlighted that the squad’s unity is the secret to achieving great things. Raphinha described the group as a “family,” where there is true friendship among veterans, youngsters, and foreign players. He revealed that names like Ronald Araújo and Ansu Fati were essential for his integration since 2022, reinforcing that the light atmosphere and absence of exclusion in the locker room are the pillars of the Catalan team’s success.

Season’s Challenges

Describing himself as “just another culé,” the forward did not hide his pride in wearing the captain’s armband and the privilege of following in the footsteps of Brazilian idols like Ronaldinho Gaúcho. Asked about the season’s challenges, Raphinha admitted that injuries were his toughest moments, but assured he is seeking his best physical form for the most critical part of the calendar. “The toughest trophy is La Liga, but the one that excites me the most is the Champions League,” he confessed.

In addition to praising the “tremendous quality” of the young academy players training with the first team, the star answered unusual fan questions with sincerity. Amid laughter, he admitted he believes Marcus Rashford is faster than him in pure speed.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.