Raphinha extends Barcelona contract to 2030 after prolific start as striker

Raphinha has extended his Barcelona contract until 2030 after a prolific start to the season in a new centre-forward role, according to the Guardian. In an interview published on Thursday, the Brazilian also credited Hansi Flick's support with changing his decision to leave the club in 2024, before he became a central figure in two league title wins.

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The contract extension was completed this week, the newspaper reported. Raphinha has scored 12 goals in Barcelona's first seven league matches and added two in the Champions League. The Guardian reported that no player in the club's history had begun a season with that league scoring return. Barcelona have won their first eight matches across the two competitions.

His move into the middle began during pre-season, when Barcelona needed someone to play as a striker in a friendly against Basel. Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford had departed during the summer, while Atlético Madrid had refused to sell Julián Álvarez. Raphinha told the Guardian he had not played as a number nine even as a child, but said two years of moving infield had helped him adapt.

Flick discussed the role with him after the Basel match and checked again before the league opener against Elche whether he felt comfortable continuing there. Raphinha agreed to try it, with the option of changing back. He scored twice against Elche and subsequently recorded league hat-tricks against Racing and Sevilla, as well as his two European goals against Feyenoord.

The forward said his position at Barcelona had felt very different in 2024. While he was in Brazil, Flick called and asked him to discuss his future before reaching a final decision. Raphinha said the coach's assurances that he would be important to the team restored his confidence. He went on to contribute 34 goals and 26 assists in 57 games, followed by 21 goals and eight assists in 33 appearances during the 2025-26 campaign.

Raphinha has also taken on greater leadership responsibility. His teammates initially elected him third in the captaincy order, and Flick has since made him first choice. He told the Guardian that being chosen changed how he viewed himself and the responsibility he carried, describing the captaincy as more than simply wearing the armband.