Brazilian Rafinha, Barcelona’s winger, third in the Spanish Football League, said that potential future signings would hesitate to join the Catalan giant due to Dani Olmo’s registration crisis.
Barcelona, which is suffering from a financial crisis, is struggling to register the international playmaker for the second half of the season after his registration expired at the end of 2024, as the club’s attempts were twice rejected by the court.
Barcelona filed its case with the highest sports court in Spain on Tuesday, but until a ruling is issued or Olmo and Victor are granted new licenses, the team is scheduled to play without them against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah.
The two players traveled to Saudi Arabia to participate in the confrontation against Bilbao, which won the King’s Cup, but they are currently unable to play.
International Rafinha (28 years old) said, “I think this may affect (future contracts). I cannot say no because I will lie and this is not me. I do not like lying or telling stories.”
He added, “The truth is that if I had been at another club and seen the situation that Pau (Victor) and Dani were going through, perhaps I would have thought if this was the best thing to be here….”
He continued, “But when I came here, before signing, I knew the club’s situation, and I knew that I had a chance to play in this shirt, and I waited until the last minute and I do not regret it at all.”
Rafinha, the current team captain, indicated that the situation was difficult for Olmo and Victor, saying, “It is difficult for them. They do not know whether they can play or not. It is a very difficult and sensitive situation.”
The Brazilian hopes that “the officials will be able to resolve this matter as quickly as possible so that they can play with us again.”
In contrast, Barcelona’s German coach Hansi Flick expressed his confidence that the club remains an attractive destination.
“I have confidence in the club… I know this club and I know what is happening here and how great this club and this team and all the people around us are,” he said.
He added, “I like everything about Barcelona, so I tell them (future contracts): Come and sign the contract. I have no doubt about that.”
The former “De Mannschaft” coach, who is seeking to achieve his first title with Barcelona this week, added that he hopes that his team will provide its best despite the absence of the duo, Olmo and Victor.
He continued, “We miss (Olmo), of course, because he can completely change the match, and this is what we miss, but in the end we accept it.”
He continued, “I think this could also be an option for the team to become more cohesive as a unit. We have to defend and play as a unit, we have to play as a team.”
The Catalan club expects that the Supreme Sports Council will grant the precautionary measure that will allow both players to return to competition, according to a report from the newspaper “Sport”.
Elena Forte, the club’s vice president, noted that “there was no negligence or poor performance by the club” in trying to register players.
She added in a radio interview, “We have not received any notification, and we do not have any information at the present time. We are convinced that we are right. The news is spreading here and we hope that it will come true. It was not easy for us.”
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