Raphinha, a Barcelona winger, extended his contract until 2028 on Thursday following a fantastic season.
The Brazilian played a key role in Barcelona’s success, winning the Copa del Rey, La Liga, and the Spanish Super Cup domestically, whose previous deal was set to expire in 2027.
The Catalan giants announced in a statement that Barcelona and Raphinha have reached an agreement to renew their contract, which will keep him with the club until 2028.
READ ALSO: Arteta Accepts Arsenal’s “Firepower” Need In The Transfer Market
In 56 matches, Raphinha, a candidate to receive the Ballon d’Or, has scored 34 goals and contributed 25 assists.
The 28-year-old has 13 goals in the Champions League, but Barcelona were beaten 3-2 in a thrilling semifinal contest against Inter Milan.
In the recent Clasico win over Real Madrid, which saw Barca almost take control of the La Liga, he netted a hat-trick.
Hansi Flick signed a new contract with Raphinha on Wednesday, signing a new one until 2027, following the German’s.
Lamine Yamal, 17, is expected to agree to a new contract in the coming weeks.
After a lunch with Yamal on Thursday, his agent Jorge Mendes said to the media that he would “renew” his contract soon.
Both Raphinha and Yamal, who are both veterans strikers Robert Lewandowski, have been devastating on Barcelona’s flanks.
In their final La Liga game against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, the Catalans hope to score 100 goals. They have already scored 99 goals in 37 of those matches.
Raphinha helped Barcelona win La Liga in his first season from Leeds United for around £55 million ($74 million).
However, despite having a bad 2023-2024 campaign, he was persuaded to leave the club by Flick.
Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, stated on Thursday that the Gunners must be looking to acquire the best players to strengthen a squad he acknowledges lacks “firepower.”
Due to Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Jesus’ injuries, Arteta’s men’s quest for silverware has been stifled for a fifth consecutive year, and they will end the season without a trophy.
Arsenal will wrap up another frustrating season on Sunday at relegated Southampton, playing first-place Liverpool, who are currently second in the Premier League.
Fernandes Also Offers To Leave Man Utd To Help Club Rebuild
Rodrygo, who has previously worked with Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, has just been linked with a move to the Emirates.
The best in the market, in other words, “must be the best if you want to win major trophies, right?” The best players always feature in victories, according to Arteta.
There is pride because we put the club in a position where next season fans will say, “You have to win a major trophy,” even though I wouldn’t want to name a player. Everyone in this country and Europe believes in us, and that is evidence of that. Arsenal’s presence is the biggest statement. ”
The Spaniard continued, “We need a goal threat and we need firepower, and the number of injuries we received on the front line is unmistakable.” We can’t rely solely on the numbers we already had because tomorrow’s context can change.
There will be people in various positions who add numbers and goals and creativity. ”
After a successful campaign, Arteta also stated that he wanted midfielder Thomas Partey, 31, to sign a new Arsenal contract.
The former club Atletico Madrid is said to be interested in resigning the Ghanaian, but Partey’s current deal expires the following month.
It has been his best season, in terms of consistency, according to Thomas. He has performed exceptionally well and has an exceptional availability. He plays a crucial role for us. ”
Meanwhile, Arteta congratulated arch rivals Tottenham in north London on kicking off their 17-year trophy drought after defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final on Wednesday in Bilbao.
They are champions, and when you get there, you must do a lot of things right, Arteta said. They have overcome a lot of challenges and difficulties throughout the season, and I believe they have managed to get through it in a beautiful moment. ”
After suffering through the heartache of their Europa League final defeat defeat by Tottenham, Bruno Fernandes has made an offer to leave Manchester United.
A Brennan Johnson goal added to United’s miserable season, which ended in a 1-0 defeat at Bilbao on Wednesday.
After the defeat, manager Ruben Amorim promised to step down “without any discussion about compensation” if the club no longer wanted him.
READ MORE: Spurs and Man Utd Face Season-Definitive Europa League Duel
Despite financial constraints, his captain, 30, has since followed suit because he is aware of United’s need to overhaul its playing staff.
“I’ve always been truthful,” he said. I’ve always said I’ll stay until the club tells me it’s time to leave, Fernandes said.
“I’m eager to do more to bring the club back to its former glory.” You never know when a club believes I’m too much or when we need to part ways. Football is this.
“But I’ve always said it, and I’m doing it the same.” Football can sometimes be like this because the club feels it’s time to end it because they want to do some cashing in or whatever.
Fernandes has been a standout player for United this season, but he was unlucky to not have had a big impact against Spurs at the San Mames stadium.
“A very sad day,”
He referred to the defeat as a terrible blow.
He said, “We wanted to win this final more than anything else.” We’ve done some very good things in this competition up until now, which is a very sad day.
“But today (Wednesday) was the crucial day of the competition,” the statement read. In the history of the Europa League, we could have been there, but that’s not how it is now. And it’s our turn to lose because football is cruel.
Despite having a terrible record since arriving at Old Trafford in November, the midfielder, who signed for United in 2020, reaffirmed that Amorim was still the right choice to lead them.
United are 16th in the Premier League, with just six victories under his belt, and they are on pace for their lowest finish since 1974’s relegation.
We just came to terms with Fernandes, “the players,” he said. He has accomplished a lot of positive things. The results indicate to us that the manager is being looked at.
We as players obviously see more than that. Everyone is aware that he will bring back the spirit of positivity in the club.
“Fight for the big trophies” to try to get the club back into the competition for trophies. And we all concur that he is the right man.
The FIFA announced on Wednesday that all teams competing in the revamped Club World Cup this summer will have a transfer window that runs from June 1 to June 10.
FIFA’s 20 Member Associations have confirmed the opening of an exclusive registration window for all their affiliated clubs starting on June 1 through June 10 to allow new players to sign up to play in the tournament, according to FIFA’s global governing body.
FIFA also made a second in-competition transfer window known as “in-competition transfer window,” which will open on June 27 through July 3.
Flick extends the Barcelona deal to 2027 following Title Triumph. READ ALSO.
FIFA stated that the goal is to encourage clubs and players whose contracts expire to find a suitable solution to facilitate players’ participation.
“This will make sure the best players will be playing,” according to the statement. This will allow clubs to add freshmen even during the tournament.
32 nations from around the world will compete in the 2025 Club World Cup, which will take place from June 14 through July 13 in the United States.
Hansi Flick, the Spanish champion, has extended his contract until June 2027, according to the Spanish champions.
In his first year in charge, the German led Barca to a domestic treble including La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
Barcelona and Hansi Flick’s contract renewal agreement will keep him a club until 30 June 2027, according to a statement from Barcelona.
After Barcelona’s last-season without a trophy, Flick took the place of Xavi Hernandez and made a quick comeback in Catalonia.
READ MORE: Spurs and Man Utd Face Season-Definitive Europa League Duel
The former coach of German national team and Bayern Munich originally agreed to a 2026 deal.
In the Champions League and the Spanish competition, Flick’s Barca were enthralled when they reached the semi-finals before being defeated by Inter Milan in a bloody tie.
The Catalans’ quest for the title’s title comes on Sunday when Athletic Bilbao hosts the final game of the season. They have scored 99 goals in 37 La Liga games.
After years of struggle, a young Barca side led by a swashbuckling attacking trio of 17-year-olds Raphinha, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski, has since rebuilt their reputation on the European stage.
Flick’s impressive finals record included victories over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup finals, which increased his total wins to seven, five of which came against Bayern.
Barcelona have once again become a feared opponent in Europe thanks to the German’s enthusiasm in his first year in charge,” the club’s statement continued.
The best win rate in a first season since Luis Enrique recorded 83 percent, flick has won 43 of his 54 games under his leadership.
After signing French superstar Kylian Mbappe from La Liga and Champions League last year, Barcelona were not widely believed to be favorites to win the league.
Madrid ended the season without a significant trophy, despite the former Paris Saint-Germain forward’s 41 goals.
Manchester City gave Kevin De Bruyne a fond farewell in a vital 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Tuesday to boost their chances of Champions League football next season.
Goals from Omar Marmoush, Bernardo Silva and Nico Gonzalez lifted City up into third heading into Sunday’s final round of matches.
Mateo Kovacic’s red card 20 minutes from time could have given Bournemouth hope, but Lewis Cook was also sent off just minutes later for a lunge on Gonzalez.
There was further cause for celebration for City late on when Ballon d’Or winner Rodri made his first appearance since September as a substitute after suffering a serious knee injury.
Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder #16 Rodri enters the pitch during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on May 20, 2025. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
City’s victory means a point when they travel to Fulham on the final day will be enough to secure a top-five finish thanks to their much superior goal difference compared to sixth-placed Aston Villa.
Just three days on from the disappointment of losing the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace, City had to raise themselves on an emotional night at the Etihad in De Bruyne’s final home match.
Earlier in the day City had unveiled a mosaic and named a road at the club’s training ground after the Belgian.
De Bruyne, who won six Premier League titles and the Champions League during his decade in Manchester, was greeted by a huge banner reading “King Kev” as he led the teams out.
READ ALSO: Failure Means Man City Would Not ‘Deserve’ Champions League- Guardiola
Marmoush makes amends
Manchester City’s Egyptian striker #07 Omar Marmoush celebrates after scoring his team first goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on May 20, 2025. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
Marmoush saw a penalty saved in City’s defeat at Wembley on Saturday which ensured they will end the season without a major trophy for the first time since Pep Guardiola’s debut season in 2016/17.
Missing out on the Champions League would arguably be an even bigger blow for a club who have not failed to qualify for Europe’s elite competition in 14 years.
Marmoush made amends for his Wembley woe in stunning fashion when he crashed home a long-range effort off the inside of the post on 14 minutes.
The moment an expectant crowd had been waiting for looked set to appear moments later when Marmoush squared to give his captain an open goal.
Yet, De Bruyne could only spoon the ball onto the crossbar from point-blank range much to his own disgust.
That miss could have had more damaging consequences for City had Evanilson found the net rather than hitting the post with a great chance to level for Bournemouth.
Instead, Guardiola’s men doubled their advantage before the break.
Ilkay Gundogan’s clever reverse pass found Silva, who slammed home at the near post to spark jubilant celebrations from an animated Guardiola.
The City boss was furious when a slack pass from Josko Gvardiol played in Evanilson and he was brought down by Kovacic, denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
The red card hastened De Bruyne’s goodbye as he was replaced by Gonzalez to a standing ovation.
But the numbers were evened up just six minutes later as Cook caught Gonzalez on the shin with his studs.
The cheer for Rodri’s return came close to matching De Bruyne’s departure.
The loss of the Spanish midfielder has played a huge part in City’s decline this season.
Gonzalez was bought in January to mitigate Rodri’s absence but has struggled to hold down a place in Guardiola’s side.
The Spaniard curled in his first Premier League goal with a fine finish on 89 minutes before Daniel Jebbison pulled a goal back deep into stoppage time.
Defeat ends Bournemouth’s challenge to qualify for Europe for the first time as they remain down in 11th and now cannot catch eighth-placed Brighton.
Palace shrugged off the hangover after celebrating their first ever major trophy to beat Wolves 4-2 at Selhurst Park.
Eddie Nketiah made the most of a rare chance to start with a double, while cup final hero Eberechi Eze was also among the scorers.
