Raphinha thriving where Barca envisaged Atletico's Alvarez

Leaders Barcelona visit Atletico Madrid on Sunday in La Liga with Raphinha back to his devastating best as the team's centre-forward, suggesting the Catalan giants have little reason to regret missing out on Julian Alvarez this summer.

The Argentina international tried to force his way out of Atletico to join Spanish champions Barca, whose attempts to engineer a deal angered the Rojiblancos.

Barcelona were fined around 600 euros ($675) for their approach for striker Alvarez by the Spanish football federation in October.

Alvarez stayed and later apologised to Atletico fans to try and rebuild bridges, while Barcelona moved on fast, with winger Raphinha developing into an unstoppable force in a previously unfamiliar number nine role.

Raphinha's form has made the chances of Barca returning for Alvarez next summer remote, and, after penning a new contract until 2030 on Thursday, he will look to underline that against Atletico.

With the Brazilian firing on all cylinders Hansi Flick's side won 11 games straight across all competitions at the start of the season but then suffered back-to-back defeats by Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

Raphinha was not at his best for either match after suffering a thigh injury on international duty with Brazil at the end of September.

The 29-year-old was uncharacteristically quiet in Barca's 4-2 Champions League defeat by PSG, and he netted in the subsequent 2-1 home defeat by Real Madrid without shining.

Four goals in the two matches which followed, against Alaves and Aston Villa, indicate he has now recovered fully.

Raphinha followed those good displays up by signing his new deal, just reward for his delivery since Hansi Flick arrived in 2024.

After joining Barcelona from Leeds in 2022 the winger grew frustrated under coach Xavi Hernandez, who did not seem to trust him completely.

However Flick's arrival and his high-pressing game suited Raphinha to the ground and the winger has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the team's most influential players and one of the captains.

Raphinha was absent through injury last season as Barcelona crashed out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals against Atletico.

Now he will be central to their hopes of avoiding another setback against Diego Simeone's side.

Atletico, second in La Liga, are two points behind Barca and hoping to usurp the reigning champions with a win at the Metropolitano stadium on Sunday.