Raphinha: Barcelona Star Vows Never to Play for Top European Club

• Brazil international Raphinha may have just added more flesh to the Barcelona-Real Madrid rivalry
• The 26-year-old moved to Barca last summer following a two-year spell with Premier League outfit Leeds United
• He has recently rediscovered his mojo, starring in his side's 2-2 draw with Man United

Raphael Dias Belloli, affectionately called Raphinha, has sworn he will never wear the all-white outfit of Real Madrid in a tell-it-all interview.

The Brazilian forward, who joined Madrid's sworn rivals Barcelona last summer, made the assertion in a TikTok discussion.

The former Leeds United winger stated emphatically: “A team I would never play for? Real Madrid,” he said via MadridXtra.

Meanwhile, he appears to have rediscovered his devastating form which forced the Catalan giants to splash £50 million, potentially rising to £55 million in add-ons in July last year.

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Underlining his return to form was his near-perfect performance on Thursday night as Barca drew 2-2 with Manchester United in the first leg of their Europa League play-off, bagging a goal and an assist.

Additionally, Raphinha earlier revealed that Arsenal, who were recently dislodged at the top of the Premier League table, lies closest to his heart.

He also named Paris Saint-Germain as one of his favourite clubs outside of Spain. “My favourite teams outside of Spain? Arsenal and PSG," he replied via Express.

Raphinha scores in thrilling draw

Barcelona and Manchester United played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie on Thursday, while Juventus were left frustrated by Nantes in a 1-1 stalemate.

The game at the Camp Nou brought together two European giants who met in two Champions League finals in 2009 and 2011, and who are both in excellent form domestically.

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A Raphinha cross flew in inside the final quarter of an hour to secure a draw for Barca before a crowd of more than 90,000.

Xavi banks hopes on Raphinha

Sports Brief earlier reported that Raphinha’s first season with Barcelona may not be going as expected but manager Xavi is not giving up yet on the Brazilian winger’s ability to turn his fortunes around.

Speculations suggest Barcelona are looking to offload the 25-year-old winger with English Premier League table toppers Arsenal interested in signing the struggling winger.

Xavi insists Raphinha will be pivotal for Barcelona in the future as he confirmed the winger will not be sold in January or anytime soon by the Catalan club.