Raphinha has said Barcelona are determined to repay the support of their fans in Saudi Arabia by winning the Supercopa de Espana in Jeddah.
La Liga runners-up Barcelona and Copa del Rey winners Athletic Club will contest the first Supercopa semi-final on Wednesday at King Abdullah Sports City, with kick-off scheduled for 10pm local time. The winners will go on to face either La Liga champions Real Madrid or Copa del Rey finalists Mallorca in Sunday’s final at the same stadium.
Barcelona have an enormous fanbase in Saudi Arabia, a country with a thriving football culture that has been the hosts of the Supercopa de Espana since 2020. The Catalans are sure to enjoy the majority of the support in Jeddah on Wednesday evening and Raphinha wants to ensure their fans are treated to a spectacle.
Raphinha, 28, said: “I would like to thank them for the love. We know how difficult it is for fans to be able to go to Barcelona and watch one of our games there, so to be able to come here, play in a semi-final and [possibly] a final is great, it’s exciting. What we can do is appreciate the love and do our best to try and win two matches.”
Raphinha arrives in Jeddah as one of Barcelona’s standout players this season, scoring 17 goals and creating 10 assists in 25 matches in all competitions. The team, however, enters the Supercopa in mixed form; following a blistering start to the season, Barcelona have lost three of their last seven matches, including consecutive defeats in La Liga.
Barca’s pedigree in the Supercopa is unrivalled, though, having won a record 14 trophies. They last won the competition in Riyadh in 2023, and Raphinha believes success in Jeddah this week can provide a vital boost for the rest of the season.
The Brazilian forward said: “A title gives confidence to any team. We have to be ready to fight for everything. We have the opportunity to win the first title of the year. It will give us a lot of confidence.”
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick echoed Raphinha’s comments by insisting his players are raring to go and are fully focused on achieving more Supercopa success in Saudi Arabia.
Flick said: “I can feel with the team everyone is ready for this tournament. The semi-final against Athletic is a tough match and we focus on that and not think about the days after that, only focus on this match. Of course, when you win titles, it’s very good for the club, very good for the team, for every player and also for us coaches, because we all work hard and train hard.”
If Barcelona are to add to their 14 Supercopas, they will need to get past extremely tough opposition, starting with semi-final opponents Athletic Club. The Catalans edged the Basque club 2-1 in their most recent meeting at the start of the Spanish Liga season, although Athletic enter the tie with the better overall form, going unbeaten in their last 15 matches in all competitions and winning 11.
Athletic have also won their last two Supercopa matches against Barca, claiming a 3-2 victory after extra-time in the 2021 final and a comprehensive 5-1 aggregate win in 2015 before the format was expanded to four teams.
Athletic captain Oscar De Marcos is aware of the task that awaits his team against Barcelona, but insists they are ready for the challenge.
De Marcos, 35, said: “We’re looking forward to being in another semi-final. We know we’re facing a very tough opponent, but whenever you’re close to a title you have the hope of being able to win it. We need a great game to be able to win it.”
Athletic also have stellar Supercopa experience in the dugout, with manager Ernesto Valverde well versed in winning this tournament; the Spanish coach has been in charge for two of Athletic’s three Supercopa triumphs, while he is familiar with the tournament in Saudi having led Barcelona in the inaugural four-team tournament in 2020.
Valverde said: “We are excited about the Supercopa. Our intention is to make the most of our chances. We are not favourites from the start, but we have to play like it. We will give everything to win it because we have travelled here for a reason.”
On the fans in Saudi Arabia, Valverde added: “There are more Barcelona fans than our own. That’s for sure. There will be a good atmosphere and we hope people can enjoy a good match. I know it well because it was my last match with Barcelona.”
The Supercopa de Espana is being staged in Saudi Arabia as part of a long-term partnership with the Royal Spanish Football Federation, which will keep the competition in the Kingdom until 2029. It is part of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to delivering the best sports events while inspiring the population to get active and live healthy lifestyles.
In addition to the Supercopa de Espana, Saudi Arabia hosts the Supercoppa Italiana and is set to welcome the biggest international tournaments in the future, including the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
- The first Supercopa de Espana held in Saudi Arabia took place in Jeddah in 2020.
- The 2025 Supercopa de Espana is the fifth edition of the tournament in Saudi Arabia.
- The Supercopa de Espana will be staged in Saudi Arabia until 2029 as part of a long-term partnership with the Royal Spanish Federation (RFEF).
- Real Madrid have won three of the four Supercopa de Espanas that have taken place in Saudi Arabia. Barcelona won the other tournament in 2023.
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