FROM "ONE FOOT OUT" TO MVP: THE HANSI FLICK CONVERSATION THAT SAVED RAPHINHA
Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 to retain the Spanish Super Cup. Discover Hansi Flick’s reaction here.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick had plenty of praise for Raphinha after the forward bagged two goals to sink Real Madrid and help Barcelona keep hold of the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday.
Raphinha’s on a tear right now—seven goals in his last five games. That includes his brace in the 3-2 win over Madrid in Saudi Arabia. Earlier this season, he missed about two months with an injury, and during that stretch, Barcelona’s form took a real hit. But since coming back, he’s looked sharp. Flick told reporters, “His mentality is unbelievable; his energy lifts the whole team.”
Raphinha did fluff a good chance in the first half, but he made up for it almost immediately, putting Barca ahead in Jeddah. Then, with the game tied at 2-2, he stepped up again—this time from outside the box, with a little help from a deflection, to score the winner.
“He missed that first opportunity, but then he scored and gave the team a real boost,” Flick said. “That’s what Raphinha brings—he’s intense, and we need that.”
Barca beat Madrid to win this trophy last season too and went on to clinch a domestic treble. Flick hopes this win will push the league leaders on to even bigger things this year.
“We feel great; we’re confident,” Flick said after Barca’s tenth straight win in all competitions. “A final against Real Madrid always means something extra. Winning it again—honestly, it’s fantastic.”
Flick has now won all eight finals he’s coached, including two against Madrid last season. “When we focus and play like we did today, I get such a good feeling about this team,” he said.
He also brought Ronald Araujo back onto the field late in the match, after the defender took about a month off for his mental health. “Being out there and winning this title means a lot to him,” Flick said. “I’m really happy he’s back, and it seems like he’s doing okay. We’ll always support him.”
OFFICIAL DECISION: BARCELONA INFORM MARCUS RASHFORD THEY WANT HIM TO STAY AT CAMP NOU
Barcelona plan to keep Marcus Rashford permanently despite financial hurdles. See the latest on his £26m clause and United future.
Barcelona really do want to keep Marcus Rashford, but they’re not so sure about paying the full £26 million buyout clause in his loan deal from Manchester United.
It’s only been a little over a year since Rashford last played for United. After that, Ruben Amorim pushed him out of the first team. Rashford bounced back with a solid loan spell at Aston Villa, then landed at Barcelona last summer on a season-long deal. The club got an option to make it permanent.
So far, this move feels like a win for everyone. Rashford has scored seven goals and set up 11 more in 26 games, and Barcelona is sitting four points clear at the top of La Liga. He looks like a new man—sharper, more driven—and now he’s a big piece for Thomas Tuchel’s England squad heading into the World Cup.
There’s still been some debate about whether Barcelona will lock him down for good, since he hasn’t totally nailed down a starting spot. Just this week, he started on the bench for their Super Cup semi-final win over Athletic Club.
Now, with El Clásico against Real Madrid in the Super Cup final coming up on Sunday, a lot of eyes are on Rashford to see how much he’ll feature.
Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim got sacked last Monday, which could open the door for guys like Rashford and Jadon Sancho to return to United. But according to The Athletic, United doesn’t plan to bring them back. Barcelona, on the other hand, has decided they want Rashford to stick around at Camp Nou after this season.
Still, Fabrizio Romano reports that Barcelona isn’t exactly rushing to trigger that buyout clause, and any final call probably won’t come until closer to the summer. Their finances play a big part in this—plus, Rashford’s £350,000-a-week salary, which Barcelona is currently covering in full.
The £26 million fee already looks like a bargain for a player of Rashford’s ability, and with the way he’s been playing, United aren’t likely to settle for less.
Either way, Rashford seems happy in Spain. He’s made it clear he wants to stay, and there are even rumours he’s hoping to link up again with ex-United teammate Kobbie Mainoo.
OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION: LA LIGA CLEARS BARCELONA TO SIGN A REPLACEMENT FOR INJURED ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN
Barcelona finalises Joao Cancelo’s return as La Liga approves injury cover. See how Deco used Andreas Christensen’s salary for the signing.
Mundo Deportivo reports that La Liga’s Medical Commission has officially recognised Andreas Christensen’s long-term injury. That means the Danish defender will miss about five months.
With that confirmation, Barcelona can now use 80% of Christensen’s salary margin under Financial Fair Play to bring in a replacement.
While the club hasn’t made it official yet, Joao Cancelo is set to fill that gap. He’s currently at Al-Hilal, but all signs point to him heading back to Barcelona.
Christensen tore his left ACL during a training session at the end of 2025. As soon as they got the bad news and realised he’d be out for months, Barça started looking for someone who could step in.
Finding a new centre-back during the January window is tough—Deco said as much. So, they turned to Cancelo, the Portuguese full-back, as the best option available.
Cancelo wants to come back. He played for Barcelona in the 2023/24 season and is keen to return. Everything’s lined up for his move, and the club expects to wrap up the signing next week, once the team gets back from Saudi Arabia.
Now that La Liga has cleared Christensen’s injury status, there shouldn’t be any problem registering Cancelo after the transfer goes through.
He’s coming in on a simple loan—no buy option for now. Even so, Cancelo hopes to stick around beyond this season.
Deco explained why they went for Cancelo over another centre-back: “We’re getting Ronald back, and the coach already said that gives us another centre-back. Cancelo means Eric doesn’t have to play as a fullback so much, which isn’t really his spot. Plus, Kounde can move inside if we need. It gives us options we just didn’t have before.”
As for Christensen, it’s unlikely he’ll play again this season. Still, Barcelona has decided to give him a one-year extension, since his contract ends this summer.