Raphinha was out injured for around two months as Barca's form dipped in October and November, but has come back strongly.

Raphinha was out injured for around two months as Barca's form dipped in October and November, but has come back strongly.

Barcelona retained the Spanish Super Cup with an entertaining 3-2 Clasico win over Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

The holders and record 15-time champions will face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid, who meet Thursday, in Sunday's final.

Despite a packed holiday schedule, footballers still found heart-warming moments on and off the pitch. Liverpool shared a cheerful Christmas Eve photo on Wednesday, showing the squad in buoyant spirits during training, dressed in red practice kits and Santa hats while linking arms on the pitch. Manchester City striker Erling Haaland joined the celebrations by dressing up as Santa Claus and posing with a sack full of presents. Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski struck a cosy note, posing with his family in matching red checkered pyjamas, while City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma smiled alongside his partner and child in front of a Christmas tree. Spain and Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella also shared a festive family photo in matching blue pyjamas, and Brazil winger Raphinha beamed with his family in a Christmas-themed snap. Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, however, did it differently as he was seen in shorts on a beach next to a Christmas tree. While such moments offered festive warmth, football’s relentless calendar rolls on, with the Premier League and Serie A set to stage Boxing Day fixtures even as much of the rest of Europe pauses for a winter break. Photos: Instagram

Barcelona wingers Raphinha and Lamine Yamal guided the Catalan giants four points clear at the top of La Liga with a 2-0 win at 10-man Villarreal on Sunday.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick raged against Raphinha's omission from FIFA's team of the year, labelling the world football governing body's 'The Best Men's XI' a joke on Saturday.

Raphinha hit a brace to give Barcelona a narrow 2-0 win over Osasuna on Saturday and take them seven points clear at the top of LaLiga.

France forward Ousmane Dembele won the men's Ballon d'Or at a ceremony in Paris on Monday, the most prestigious individual award in football rewarding his starring role in the Paris Saint-Germain side that won the Champions League last season.

Barcelona made light of playing in front of just 6,000 fans to thrash Valencia 6-0 in their first home game of the season, with three players netting twice in a goal-scoring carnival.

Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 win at nine-man Mallorca in their opening LaLiga game of the season on Saturday as England forward Marcus Rashford made his debut off the bench.

Brazil's Barcelona forward Raphinha regretted that the players were not consulted about extending their season to play at the Club World Cup, adding that nobody should be obliged to give up their vacation time.

The Brazilian, whose previous deal was set to expire in 2027, was vital as Barcelona won a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

Together, they have not only lifted Barça back to domestic supremacy but turned every encounter against Real Madrid into a stage for their individual magic.

Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona overcame a two-goal deficit to secure a crucial 4-3 home victory against rivals Real Madrid in a pulsating Clasico on Sunday, edging them closer to the LaLiga title.

Barcelona and Inter Milan shared a compelling 3-3 draw in a high-octane Champions League semi-final first leg clash on Wednesday, with teenage star Lamine Yamal shining bright.

Hansi Flick's Barca are a step away from reaching the semi-finals for the first time since 2019 and extended their unbeaten run to 23 matches.

All eyes were on Brazil's Raphinha ahead of the game after his explosive comments on Romario TV, where he boldly promised Argentina would be “beaten up” both on and off the pitch.

"We'll beat them up... Absolutely! Beat them up! On the pitch and off the pitch if we have to," Raphinha said in an interview on "Romario TV" with the Brazilian great.

Lamine Yamal and Raphinha dazzled as Barcelona thumped Benfica 3-1 on Tuesday, reaching the Champions League quarter-finals 4-1 on aggregate.