It has been quite a busy transfer deadline day for Paris Saint-Germain. After already confirming the signings of Danilo Pereira and Moise Kean, PSG have now signed Rafinha from Barcelona.
PSG Confirm Rafinha Signing
Unfortunate Barcelona Career
If one word can describe Rafinha’s time at the Camp Nou, it’s certainly unfortunate. A combination of untimely injuries and a lack of opportunities marred what could have been a very impressive Barcelona career.
The brother of the more high-profile Thiago, who recently sealed a switch to Premier League champions Liverpool, Rafinha’s career has always gone under the radar. However, he has certainly shown glimpses of his quality throughout his career.
For example, he started in the historic 6-1 comeback win against his new side back in 2017. He has had the awful luck of two ligament ruptures. That’s two potentially career-ending injuries, two yearlong absences. But he continued to fight and continued to wait for his chance.
He went out on loan a few times in an attempt to regain his form, and he excelled in a six-month loan at Inter Milan. However, the following season, he got a season-long injury five matches in. That moment epitomised his Barca years; a very talented player in very unfortunate circumstances. Hopefully, at PSG he can have better luck and revive his career once and for all.
Another High-Profile Free Transfer for Barcelona
The management of this club really is a disaster, it must be said. Lionel Messi alluded to it in his “I’m (forcefully) staying” speech, and this is a clear example. Under president Josep Maria Bartomeu, the club have got themselves into massive debt, and are now entirely broke with the addition of the coronavirus pandemic. They don’t seem to have a plan, as Messi said, and that idea is getting clearer and clearer.
This summer, Barcelona have sold Ivan Rakitic, Luis Suarez, Arturo Vidal, and now Rafinha on free transfers. The question of whether or not they should’ve left is debatable, but what’s absolutely clear is that not one of these players, let alone all four, are worth nothing.
Suarez is arguably one of the best Barca strikers in history; even at 33 he has so much left to offer. He left on a free. Bartomeu received an offer of nearly €80m for Rakitic two years ago; two years later, he left on a free. Vidal was never a Barcelona fit, but he is very valuable for many clubs and worth decent money; he left on a free.
And now, Rafinha; a promising talent, still just 27, and he leaves on a free. It leaves no surprise as to why Barca are in the financial hole they’re in.
However, Rafinha will get a second chance at a top club in PSG, and the chance to link up with his compatriot Neymar was too good to pass up. It’s a great pickup by the French side, yet another cheap, regretful sale by Barcelona.
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