The final piece of the puzzle! Raphinha brings in a super-agent to seal his Barça future
Raphinha's love story with Barcelona is approaching its happiest chapter. The Brazilian has made a decisive move off the pitch to secure his future at the club.
Details: According to BarçaTimes, citing Joaquim Piera, Raphinha has appointed Ali Barat as his new agent. The renowned dealmaker will help the winger finalize his contract renewal with Barcelona until 2030.
The appointment of Barat, one of the most influential agents in world football, is a clear signal that the endgame is near. Sporting director Deco told the club's General Assembly this week that agreements are close for three players, with Raphinha's extension to June 2030 headlining the list alongside Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart. The Brazilian's current deal runs until 2028, but his sensational form has forced the club's hand: 11 goals in all competitions, a hat-trick in the 7-2 rout of Racing Santander, and a place in history as the first Barça player since Messi to score nine times in the opening six league rounds. Raphinha recently declared publicly that he wants to retire at Barcelona, and this agent switch looks like the mechanism to make it happen. For the club, extending their captain figure in his prime is both a sporting and symbolic victory, especially with Saudi millions always lurking in the background. An official announcement now feels like a matter of weeks, if not days.
It's worth noting that Ali Barat, founder of Epic Sports, has brokered some of the biggest transfers in recent Premier League history and is known for closing complex, high-value deals.
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Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
