Raphinha talks Olmo, Victor, Araujo, Nico Williams ahead of Athletic Club vs Barcelona | OneFootball

Barcelona will play their second game of 2025 tomorrow night as they take on Athletic Club in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Having put the woes of late 2024 behind with a resounding Copa del Rey win over UD Barbastro, Hansi Flick & co. will hope to carry the momentum forward and secure a spot in the finals of the Super Cup, where they would face one of Mallorca or Real Madrid.

On the eve of the game, one of the club captains, Raphinha, joined manager Flick for the pre-match press conference, where as expected the registration situation of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor was a heavily discussed topic.

On Super Cup and Barça’s form

Kicking things off, the Brazilian winger explained the importance of winning the Super Cup for Barcelona, saying:

“A title gives confidence to any team. We are ready to fight for everything and we have the opportunity now at the beginning of the year. It will give us a lot of confidence for the season.”

Raphinha was absent from Barça’s cup tie against Barbastro last week, and the player confirmed that it was due to some minor discomfort.

“We started winning again. I’m better, I had some discomfort but we decided that I should rest and I hope I can help the team in the next game now,” he said.

On the upcoming matches, the former Leeds United man insisted that the team must continue giving its 100%, saying:

“Football a lot of times is unfair. We played a good game against Atleti but we lost. Sometimes you play better but you lose. We want to be 100% focused on the game and make as few mistakes as possible to come away with the win.”

Regarding the slump that the Catalans suffered from towards the end of 2024, he added: “It’s complicated to say why. You won’t be at 100 per cent for the whole season, there will be downturns, but we’ve been able to play good games again.

“Now we have to get back to winning as many games as possible.”

Talking about the chance to play in Saudi Arabia, he said: “We have quite a few fans here in Arabia. To be able to play in front of them and to be able to experience this special moment like the Super Cup is quite special.

“I am here for the third season in particular and to be able to feel the affection of the Arabs is spectacular.”

Touching on the threat that Barcelona’s opponents for tomorrow, Athletic Club, pose, Raphinha explained:

“We know the potential that their players have, like Nico and Iñaki. We hope to play our best game both defensively and offensively.”

Continuing, he added: “I think playing against Athletic is always difficult. They are a good team, with good players and a great philosophy. It’s good to see them play.

“They have very fast players and they play very well. They’re going to have a good time. It’s going to be a good game.”

Registration saga

Dani Olmo and Pau Victor are yet to be re-registered. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Regarding the situation surrounding Olmo and Victor and how they are dealing with the whole saga, Raphinha stated:

“It’s a complicated situation. For them, for us too. It’s a delicate situation and we’re trying to make it not so difficult for them, that those in charge can resolve it as quickly as possible so that they can play as soon as possible.”

Further elaborating on the matter, Raphinha added that it was important to stay calm and trust those in charge to get things done.

“We have to trust that this will be solved quickly. In the end, we get super positive messages and we have to wait. We know the same as you do many times,” he remarked.

“We try to be calm so we can do our work during the day. I hope that the people who are dealing with this will bring us quick solutions.”

On whether there have been talks with the president or the coach about the registration issue, the 28-year-old said:

“It’s a complicated situation and only those who are in this situation know what they are going through and decide on their future. They have to wait and see what will happen.

“The club tells us that they are quite positive that everything will be resolved. But for Dani and Pau it is quite difficult to deal with this situation.”

On whether the whole episode could affect Barcelona’s future transfer plans and make players rethink about joining the club, Raphinha said:

“I don’t like to lie. I think it can affect the future. If I was at another club maybe I would think about it. But when I came here, before signing I knew the situation of the club and I waited to be able to come here and I don’t regret anything.”

Raphinha was also asked to comment on the future of Ronald Araujo, whose contract expires in 2026. In response, the Brazilian said:

“It’s a situation that he can answer you. It’s a personal situation, I have nothing to say about his renewal.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo