During a recent interview, Raphinha, who recently returned from injury in Barcelona’s 4-0 win against Atletico Bilbao, made a bold and confident declaration about Barcelona’s ambitions in Europe. For him, the Champions League isn’t just another target; it’s the one that truly defines the club. As reported by Fabrizio Romano via his official X account.
He said:
Raphinha: Candidates to win the UCL? If you look at all my interviews about the Champions League, I’ve always said that when you play for this club, the main objective has to be winning the Champions League.That has been my goal since I arrived
His comments quickly sparked reactions across X, where fans from rival clubs and even some from neutral corners weighed in with their own interpretations and emotions.
The first strong response came from @ja_melchior, who clearly wanted to challenge the idea that Barcelona has a long, dominant history in the tournament. He tried to pull Raphinha’s confidence back into perspective by pointing out the club’s Champions League record over time.
He tweeted:
Sure, that’s why they’ve won 5 in 120 years, because they’re obsessed with the Champions League.
Next came a different kind of reply from @AFRICA_KYRO, a self-proclaimed Chelsea supporter who injects banter and competitive rivalry, reminding Raphinha that Chelsea stands in the way of Barcelona’s dreams. His message carried a mix of humour and warning.
He said:
You should’ve tried that last season when Chelsea wasn’t around, but it’s too late now. We’re not letting that happen. See you on the pitch—good luck, mate.
Another Chelsea fan, @Daddyboyy8, took the rivalry even further. He mocks the idea that Barcelona could win the tournament while Chelsea is still competing, using playful exaggeration to defend his club’s status.
He said:
Chelsea exist bro, how dare you say Barcelona will win the champions league when Chelsea is in the competition? Are you joking?”
On the other side, @KrishnaAnand_ responded with a more sarcastic tone. He tried to downplay Barcelona’s chances by comparing them to Manchester United, who are not in the Champions League this season.
He stated:
The chances of Barcelona winning the Champions League this season are the same as Manchester United winning it this season.
Amid the scepticism and banter, there was finally a supportive voice. @comradeweb3 backed Raphinha’s mindset and highlighted the positive shift in Barcelona’s mentality; he applauded the ambition.
He said:
Raphinha all in on the Champions League mission. Barcelona’s got that hunger back. When your stars are locked in on Europe’s biggest prize, anything’s possible.
Softfootball understands that the reactions painted a vivid picture of how Raphinha, who recently expressed how happy he feels returning to the team, landed across the football world. Some laughed, some doubted, and some offered praise, but all of them engaged. And that alone showed the weight his statement carried: Barcelona’s Champions League expectations remain one of the most heated topics in European football.
