Barcelona forward Raphinha has paid an emotional tribute to Jesús de Miguel following the Spanish footballer's death, saying he was too affected by the news to focus on football after his team's match.
Speaking after Barcelona's victory over Aston Villa, the Brazilian expressed his sadness and sent support to de Miguel's family.
Raphinha said the news affected him deeply because de Miguel was around his age, and the incident could have happened to any professional footballer, including him.
"Wherever he is, I hope he finds his way. I want to send his family strength … and today, not talk about football," Raphinha said.
His comments reflected the emotional impact of the tragedy on players who understand the risks and uncertainties that can accompany their profession.
Raphinha Says News of De Miguel's Death Left Him Shocked
Raphinha admitted that he struggled emotionally after learning about Jesús de Miguel's death.
"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," he explained.
The Barcelona forward also pointed out that de Miguel was around the same age as him, which made the news particularly difficult to process.
The tragedy had clearly affected him beyond the usual emotions associated with a football match.
Rather than focusing on the result, Raphinha wanted attention to be given to the player who had lost his life and the family he left behind.
Raphinha Sends Strength to De Miguel's Family
Raphinha also used the opportunity to dedicate Barcelona's victory to the supporters while making it clear that his thoughts were with de Miguel's loved ones.
"Sorry, tonight I don't want to talk about football. It's clear that I want to dedicate this win to the fans, but I want to send a lot of strength to Jesus de Miguel's family," he said.
He added that he was deeply shocked and saddened by the news, reiterating that the same thing could happen to any footballer.
The Brazilian also extended his message of support on behalf of Barcelona, expressing the club's sympathy for the family.
His response was a reminder that, beyond club rivalries and competition, professional footballers share a connection through the game and the experiences that come with it.
A Moment That Went Beyond Football
Raphinha's tribute offered a personal perspective on the loss of Jesús de Miguel.
His comments were not about tactics, goals, or the importance of Barcelona's victory. He was speaking as a fellow footballer who had been confronted with the death of someone close to his own age and profession.
For de Miguel's family, the messages of support from players and clubs cannot replace their loss.
However, they reflect the sympathy being expressed across the football community.