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regular-article-logo Saturday, 06 July 2024

New signing shines as Barcelona cruise in Miami

Xavi Hernandez’s side thrashes Inter Miami 6-0 on their US tour

Reuters, AP/PTI Miami, Barcelona Published 21.07.22, 03:35 AM
Robert Lewandowski.

Robert Lewandowski. Instagram

Barcelona’s new signing Raphinha shone with a goal and two assists in his pre-season debut as the Spanish giants thrashed Inter Miami 6-0 on their US tour on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old Brazilian forward led Xavi Hernandez’s side to an easy win against the MLS club that is owned by former England international David Beckham.

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Raphinha — who signed for €58 million from Leeds United earlier this month — first assisted Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who opened the scoring in the 19th minute, and then extended the lead himself six minutes later with a nice left foot first touch strike.

Spanish teenage sensation Ansu Fati, who is slowly working his way back into form after a long layoff after a series of injuries, scored Barca’s third right before halftime with another pass from Raphinha.

Barca came back to the second half with 11 substitutions but kept dominating and scored three more through Gavi, Memphis Depay and Ousmane Dembele. It was the first of four games for Barca during their US pre-season tour that will continue on Saturday with a Clasico against bitter rivals Real Madrid in Las Vegas.

“I think we are better than Real Madrid,” Raphinha told reporters.

“I’m very happy to score my first goal and for things having turned out well in my debut. I felt very good. I hope I can continue like this.

“Of course I would like to score a goal against Real Madrid on Saturday. Scoring always gives confidence and if you do it against a team like Real Madrid even more so.”

Lewa deal

Earlier, the club said the fee to acquire striker Robert Lewandowski could reach $50.2 million.

Barcelona said on Tuesday they will pay Bayern Munich $46 million plus $5.1 million in variables for the transfer of the prolific Poland player.

The buyout clause for the 33-year-old Lewandowski will be set at $512 million on a contract valid for four seasons. The final agreement comes three days after the clubs announced a preliminary deal for the striker who was voted the Fifa Player Of The Year in 2020 and 2021.

He arrives to boost a Barcelona team that did not win any titles last season following the departure of Lionel Messi. The club has been slowly rebuilding their squad after enduring financial struggles in recent seasons.

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