Headline: Raphinha Dedicates Two Goals to Late Striker Jesus de Miguel in Barcelona’s Win Against Aston Villa
Barcelona captain Raphinha paid tribute to deceased Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel following his two-goal performance in the team’s 3-0 win against Aston Villa. De Miguel tragically passed away after colliding with Andorra goalkeeper Owono during a match.
After the victory, Raphinha spoke about his subdued celebrations, stating that his mind was focused on the unfortunate incident that has deeply affected the football community. He extended his condolences to de Miguel’s family and emphasized that the victory belonged to the Barcelona fans.
“It’s not a good day to talk about football. I dedicate this victory to the fans, but I want to send my deepest condolences to Jesus de Miguel’s family on behalf of the club. May he rest in peace,” said Raphinha. He further shared how the tragedy impacted the Barcelona dressing room, noting the shock felt by the players upon receiving the news.
“It could have happened to anyone. It’s very hard. It could happen to us too. When we saw it, we were all shocked,” he added. When pressed for more details about the match, Raphinha chose to refrain from further discussion about football, stating, “I’d rather leave it at that.“
Meanwhile, Frenkie de Jong used his post-match remarks to address criticism about his fitness and availability. The Dutch midfielder appeared confident as he discussed his recovery from injury while celebrating his 300th appearance for Barcelona. He received a commemorative shirt from teammates in acknowledgement of the milestone.
“I’m feeling great, really strong, raring to go, and very motivated. What’s done is done,” de Jong remarked. He acknowledged the scrutiny he faced when not playing, especially during the summer months and while recovering from injury, asserting that he is now in “great shape.”
De Jong also expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming clash against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium. “I’d like to start matches from the off, but we have to bear in mind that I’ve been out for a long time, and that’s up to the coaching staff,” he said.
Finally, he was asked about the potential postponement of upcoming La Liga matches in light of de Miguel’s death, as the AFE has requested a suspension to honor his memory. “I would understand if it were suspended, and I would also understand if the next matchday went ahead, but it’s not up to me to decide,” he concluded.
