raphinha says he cannot replace Lamine Yamal exactly, and Barcelona may ask him to do it anyway on May 10. The 29-year-old forward is expected to play in El Clásico against Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou at 3:00 PM ET, with the LaLiga title still in play.
Raphinha and Lamine Yamal
“If I play on the right, don’t expect anything special because I’m not Lamine. He’s a star,” Raphinha said. That is the simplest way to frame Barcelona’s right side heading into Matchday 35: Yamal is out for the rest of the season after a left hamstring injury against Celta de Vigo on April 22, and Raphinha is the most likely option to fill the role.
He also said, “I like the opponent; it could be a good match. I’m looking to get back to my best form. I’m still a little off.” Barcelona need that sharper version of him after he was sidelined in March during Brazil’s friendlies and missed Champions League matches while recovering.
Barcelona’s right wing
Raphinha’s absence was visible when he watched from the bench as Barcelona were eliminated by Atlético Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals. That stretch made his return matter beyond one league match: Barcelona have reached a point where one fit winger can change how they line up against Real Madrid.
Hansi Flick now has to weigh how much of the right wing load can sit on a player who is still working back from injury. Raphinha did not hide the adjustment, but he did make clear he expects to be part of the conversation when Barcelona face the title race head-on.
May 10 at Spotify Camp Nou
“We expect it to be a pretty tough match; they still have a mathematical chance of winning LaLiga, so they won’t give us anything for free. If we win, we’ll celebrate the league title,” he said. That sets the stakes for Matchday 35: Barcelona can clinch the title by beating Real Madrid, and Yamal’s absence turns Raphinha’s return into one of the few selection calls with direct title implications.
He also addressed his future at the club: “I see myself here for many years. I have a contract until 2028, and if the club wants to talk to me, I’m open to it.” For Barcelona, that leaves a fit senior forward available now and, by his own account, willing to stay long after this derby-shaped title test ends.
