Rafinha's Bold Bet: Why He Chose Barca Over a Saudi Gold Rush

Key Moments: Rafinha's Saudi Offer and Barca's Resolve

Brazilian Rafinha, Barcelona's star, admits he considered leaving the club in the summer of 2024 after receiving a lucrative Saudi offer.

Rafinha told ESPN Brazil that he thought about leaving; he believed the moment had come, but after speaking with coach Flick by phone and then at the start of pre-season, he convinced him to stay, and he's grateful he did.

Yet Rafinha admitted that the Saudi offer made him hesitate a lot because it would have solved many things in his personal life, his parents' lives, his son's life, and the lives of many others.

He added: I've been playing football since I was fifteen; I've had good and bad experiences everywhere, and there came a time when I felt the need to take care of myself and my family.

I've always felt at peace with what I can offer. I've given my best; perhaps people expected 30 goals per season, but I'm not a pure striker. I help a lot with hard work and dedication. This is Rafinha, and I will always give my best.

Rafinha exploded in the 2024/25 season, proving decisive most of the time by scoring 34 goals and providing 26 assists, and Barcelona extended his contract until the summer of 2028.

The Clasico was in doubt.

Rafinha suffered a setback during his recovery from an injury according to a Spanish press report.

According to the Catalan newspaper Sport, his hamstring injury was stronger than initially appeared.

The paper added that the player felt discomfort trying to return to the pitch and again felt pain in the hamstring area.

He was due to return gradually at the start of the current week by getting minutes in Girona and Olympiakos games but suffered an unexpected setback.

The paper noted that Rafinha's involvement against Real Madrid in the Clasico at the end of the month remained doubtful.

The Brazilian winger continues training in the gym and has not joined team training.

Rafinha has appeared this season in seven matches, scoring three goals and providing two assists.

Last season Rafinha was more than a supporting winger to Lewandowski; he finished second in the team's top scorers with 34 goals behind the Pole (42), and led the assists chart with 23, ahead of Lamine Yamal (21).

He was also the most-played player (4,661 minutes) and the second-most appearances in official matches (57 games, 53 as a starter).

His influence extended beyond domestic competitions as he headed the Champions League goalscoring chart with 13 goals, tied with Serhou Guirassy of Borussia Dortmund, and placing him fifth in the Ballon d'Or race, ahead of Kylian Mbappe (seventh).

Perhaps he could have progressed further if Inter hadn't edged Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza, denying him a shot at the European final.

His form under Flick was essential to Barca's early success.

Reports say Barcelona's full confidence in Rafinha remained after his contract extension to 2028, with him turning 29 this December and preparing for a bigger World Cup in 2026 with Brazil.

Barcelona waits for Rafinha's return, which could provide a huge morale boost and on-pitch impact at a critical moment as Flick hopes his star's resurgence fuels the Blaugrana before the looming Clasico against Real Madrid.

Rafinha was born in Porto Alegre in 1996 and began his professional career at Avaí before moving to Europe via Vitória de Guimarães, where his pace and skill caught the eye.

He later joined Sporting CP and Leeds United in 2020, becoming one of the club’s standout players in the Premier League thanks to his precise passes and ability to decide games at the box.

In the summer of 2022, Rafinha joined Barcelona in a deal worth around €60 million to fulfill his dream of playing for the Catalan club.

During his first season he contributed goals and assists that helped Barca win La Liga, and he has continued to shine under Flick's guidance.

He has also become a mainstay in Brazil's national team, reaffirming his status as one of the top wingers in modern football.

With a bright future ahead, Rafinha's journey from Porto Alegre to the summit of European football remains a remarkable testament to talent, resilience, and timing.

Punchline: If football were a sniper’s nested scope, Rafinha would have a 0.05 precision—on the pitch, his passes hit the target; off it, his jokes still fetch the same assist rate. Punchline 2: Barca’s defense should bring binoculars—Rafinha’s aiming to bring back the Blaugrana flame with the same pin-point focus he brings to every through-ball.