Barcelona forward Raphinha said it was difficult to play Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League game against Aston Villa after learning of the death of Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel.
De Miguel died after he suffered a cardiac arrest following an on-field collision with Real Oviedo goalkeeper Jesús Owono on Monday. He was 30.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation [RFEF] announced no domestic games would be played on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday as Spanish football mourns De Miguel.
However, Tuesday’s Champions League fixtures went ahead, with Raphinha scoring twice as Barça beat Premier League side Villa 3-0 at Spotify Camp Nou.
“Wherever [De Miguel] is, I hope he finds his way,” Raphinha told Movistar after the game. “I want to send his family strength … and today, not talk about football.
“After I saw the news, I didn’t feel good. In the end, he was a fellow football player. This could have happened to any of us. It could have happened to me.
“It’s very difficult to go out and play a game in these circumstances. He was a player who was the same age as me. Maybe that’s why it affected me so much.”
As a mark or respect, the Champions League hymn was not played before kick-off at Camp Nou, with a minute’s silence held for De Miguel instead.
Barça coach Hansi Flick said the news hit Raphinha hard.
“What happened in Tenerife, I think it affected him a lot, like everyone of us,” Flick said in the post-game news conference.
“Our deepest condolences to the family, the club, the friends, everyone … it’s a big tragedy. I think it’s affected him a lot.”
Despite everything, Raphinha managed to continue his incredible form at the start of the season, scoring twice after Lamine Yamal had opened the scoring as Barça ended Villa’s perfect start in the Champions League this season.
Raphinha, playing as a No.9, has now scored 19 goals in all competitions this term — more than anyone else in Europe’s top five leagues — and Flick has backed him to keep finding the net at the same rate.
“I have no doubts about [him maintaining that rhythm],” he said. “He is in a good mood and a good moment right now. I am really happy with him. He’s an amazing player.”
Barça’s victory was slightly tainted by an injury to Rodri. The midfielder was replaced by Marc Bernal, with a top-of-the-table clash against Atlético Madrid in the league looming on Sunday.
“He had some discomfort,” Flick announced. “We have to wait until [Thursday] for the tests.”
LaLiga leaders Barça travel to Atlético on Sunday having rebuilt some confidence after back-to-back losses to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid at the end of October.
They returned to winning ways with a 6-1 hammering of Alavés at the weekend and, in keeping Villa’s attack out, kept their first clean sheet in the Champions League in 18 games.
“It was important we defend together, very compact and the last line played an amazing level,” Flick said.
“The most important thing in football, and in life, is not about mistakes or defeats, it is about you react. The next action is important.
“This was key today. You have to go again in the next situation, especially when playing in the Champions League against teams of this quality. This was great.”
With nine points, Barça are now tied second in the Champions League standings with Villa and four other teams, three points behind leaders PSG.
