Raphinha backs Barça to overturn 4-0 Copa deficit against Atlético
Raphinha is refusing to give up on Barça's Copa del Rey semi-final hopes despite a heavy first-leg defeat to Atlético Madrid. Here's what he had to say.
Raphinha isn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet — and he wants everyone to know it.
A mountain to climb
Let’s not sugarcoat it: a 4-0 first-leg hammering against Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final is about as bad as it gets. Most sides would already be mentally booking their summer holidays. But Raphinha, speaking to fans via Barça’s official YouTube channel, is having absolutely none of that defeatist chat.
“If there’s a team that can do it, it’s us” — and fair play to him for keeping the faith, even if the arithmetic is brutal.
Belief over logic
Now, we all know a four-goal turnaround is a massive ask. But Raphinha’s point is simple:
- Perform first, worry about the scoreline second. He made it clear that putting in a proper performance is the foundation for any comeback. Without that, it’s a non-starter.
- Barça’s identity demands it. This is a club that genuinely believes in its own mythology. Whether that’s deluded or inspiring probably depends on what happens on the night.
The Brazilian winger isn’t just blowing smoke either — he’s been one of Barça’s standout players this season when fit, and his confidence in the squad feels genuine rather than just PR fluff.
Back from the knocks
Raphinha also opened up about what’s been a difficult season on the injury front. He admitted it’s been mentally tough — injuries are hard enough physically, but the frustration of being sidelined when you just want to play football is its own kind of nightmare. He said he feels good both mentally and physically right now, and is focused on getting back to his very best.
That’s actually the more interesting subplot here. A fully fit, fully firing Raphinha is a completely different proposition to a half-crocked one, and Barça will need him at 100% if they’re going to have any chance of pulling off what would be one of the great Copa comebacks.
The family vibes
On a warmer note, Raphinha spoke fondly about life at the club, describing the squad as a proper family. He singled out Araujo and Ansu Fati as the two who made him feel most at home when he first rocked up at the Camp Nou — which is a lovely detail, and says a lot about the culture in that dressing room.
Bottom line
Is a 4-0 comeback against Atlético realistic? Probably not, if we’re being honest with ourselves. Simeone’s lot don’t exactly capitulate under pressure. But stranger things have happened in football, and if anyone’s going to at least make a game of it, you’d want Raphinha leading the charge.
The second leg is going to be fascinating — even if it’s just to see how far Barça can push it.