“I have already told my family that my dream is to stay at this club until the end of my career. I want to do that while being at my best,” said Brazilian forward Rafaier Rafinha after extending his contract with Barcelona by another year. However, his contract with the Catalans was until June 2027, which has now been extended to 2028.
The Seleção star, who has been in excellent form this season, has scored 34 goals and provided 25 assists in 56 games for Barcelona. This has played a role in the Catalans winning three domestic titles in their first season after Hansi Flick took charge. The domestic treble was completed by winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. And in each of them, they defeated arch-rivals Real Madrid with aplomb.
Rafinha, expanding his relationship with the club a little more, says, ‘For me, it is very satisfying and very special. I am very happy and since I came to this club, my biggest personal desire has been to bring joy to the fans. I am now Rafinha, a father, and also a captain. I have more responsibility now than when I first came to the Blaugrana. Every year I have matured, I have become more mature than before.’
Rafinha’s wife Natalia Belloli announced the news of the new contract with the dream club on her Instagram. In the accompanying photo, Rafinha is standing with her child in her arms between Barcelona president Juan Laporta and Natalia. They are all holding Rafinha’s jersey, which has the word 2028 written on it. The wife of the Seleção star did not have to explain what this means. However, to further explain the depth of the relationship, she wrote the caption – ‘Our house.’
Although Rafinha was not aware of the new contract extension, the 28-year-old forward said he would give his all to repay the club’s trust, saying, “I did not expect this new offer from the club. I will give everything for this jersey in training or in matches.”
Rafinha joined Barca in 2022 after spending two seasons at English Premier League club Leeds United. There were also rumors that the star, who scored 13 goals in the first two seasons, could be sold. But that scenario changed with the arrival of German coach Flick. Rafinha played a leading role in winning the title by scoring 18 goals in La Liga alone. He scored 13 goals and 9 assists in the Champions League. Which also puts him in the front row of the upcoming Ballon d’Or race. In this case, he will have to fight with club teammate Lamine Yamal PSG’s Ousmane Dembele.
