Raphinha opened his Barcelona chapter in style during the club’s United States tour, delivering a promising display in the away friendly against Inter Miami as Barcelona rolled to a 6-0 victory. The Brazilian forward took the field for the first 45 minutes and tied his performance to high expectations, not only scoring on his debut but also laying on two assists that highlighted his creative vision and willingness to link up with teammates. The early burst of energy set a strong tone for the Catalan side as Miami pressed, yet Barcelona controlled the tempo and pieced together dangerous attacks with a fluidity that suggested a bright tactical fit for the new signing. Remarks from the bench echoed the impression that this was a productive start, with Raphinha contributing decisively to a convincing result in his first game under the new regime.
As the half wore on, Barcelona’s edge remained clear. Although the home side managed to pull back the score after falling behind in the first half, the initial burst from Raphinha left a vivid impression of his abilities—fast, technically polished, and eager to stretch the Miami defense. He celebrated the conclusion of the match with a sense of happiness that reflected how smoothly the adaptation was progressing, and he openly admitted that he looked forward to the upcoming test against Real Madrid in Dallas. “We are better than Real Madrid, and I am excited to face them,” he said, underscoring his belief in the team’s potential and his personal readiness to contribute once more on big stages.
Raphinha also spoke about the process of settling in at Barcelona, expressing confidence that his teammates would ease the transition. “Playing with these players makes everything easier. I still have to adapt to the team’s style, but they help me and I hope to help them as well,” he explained. The early signs suggested a strong synergy between the new signing and Barça’s core group, with the forward emphasising that the club possessed a talented roster capable of competing for major honours as the season unfolds.
The Brazilian striker reinforced his belief that his decision to join Barcelona was vindicated by the club’s depth and quality. “Barça has a great squad with players who can change games and push the team forward. The group is full of talent, and I think they are the future of the club. Barcelona is in good hands and must chase big championships,” he stated, articulating a long-term vision that resonated with fans eager for success on multiple fronts.
Eric Garcia
Eric Garcia offered a similarly upbeat assessment of Barça’s prospects, highlighting the value of healthy competition within the squad. “Competition always makes everyone better. We have a wealth of top players in every position, and they are all capable of delivering when called upon. That depth raises the standards for the whole team,” he noted, stressing that the internal drive would translate into more consistent performances on match days. For Garcia, the presence of senior players lends credibility and leadership that can accelerate the development of younger talents while keeping the collective focus sharp.
On the subject of potential transfers, Garcia touched on the idea that if Frenkie de Jong were to leave, the club could benefit from the services of Bernardo Silva, a player he knows well from Manchester City. “I haven’t spoken to him directly. We are friends, and everyone knows what a superb player he is. I’m not sure what his next move would be, but I’m confident the club would act in the best interests of the team if a change were to occur,” he said, framing such a scenario as a possibility rather than a certainty and underscoring the team’s ongoing strategic planning.