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Barcelona winger Raphinha has pledged his loyalty to the club, saying he would be "very happy" to sign a new deal as contract extension discussions gain momentum.
The 29-year-old has hit the ground running in the 2026–27 campaign, netting 11 goals in just seven appearances in his new central striking role, helping power the club to a perfect seven wins from seven to start the season.
Barça sporting director Deco recently hinted that the club is ready to open contract extension discussions with Raphinha—whose current deal expires in 2028—off the back of his outstanding performances.
"We always keep a close watch on our players to stay ahead of contract situations. There's also the matter of meritocracy," he told Catalan radio station RAC1.
"[Raphinha] is one of the players we want to keep for an additional year. We'll be having that conversation with him."
Raphinha Wants to Retire at Barcelona
The player himself has since weighed in, expressing his desire to bring his career to a close at the club he joined back in 2022.
He told RAC1: "[When I put pen to paper on my last contract] I figured I'd be 30 or 31 [when it ran out] and I wasn't sure what kind of physical shape I'd be in.
"I would be very happy to extend my contract a bit longer and hopefully I can see out my career here without needing to move elsewhere."
The Brazilian's sentiments will be warmly received by Barcelona supporters. Raphinha, who was handed the club's captaincy this season, now boasts 86 goals across 184 appearances for the Spanish giants.
The Best Player in the World Not on Ballon d'Or List
Raphinha has emerged as a genuine revelation in Hansi Flick's system as the new focal point of attack, stepping up following Robert Lewandowski's departure.
The Polish striker's summer move to Chicago Fire, combined with an unsuccessful bid to sign Julián Alvarez, left Barça without a recognized senior center-forward heading into the new campaign. Yet it has barely mattered, with the club finding the net 28 times in just six La Liga outings.
Lamine Yamal, Anthony Gordon, Fermín López and others have impressed, but it is Raphinha who has truly dazzled in his new No. 9 role—no player across Europe's top five leagues has more goal contributions than the former Leeds United man's tally of 12.
His exclusion from the recently unveiled Ballon d'Or nominees list appears all the more puzzling given his current form. When asked about being left off the 30-man shortlist for football's most prestigious individual honor, the forward responded: "It is unfair, both for me and for Pedri."
On the question of who deserves to claim the award at the London ceremony on Oct. 26, Raphinha had no hesitation in pointing to his teammate Lamine Yamal.
"He has the numbers, he has the trophies with the club and he has won the Euros," Raphinha said. "People would pay anything to watch him play and I would too.
"It is crystal clear that Lamine has to win it one way or another. With all due respect to everyone else, Lamine should win it by a considerable margin."