Raphinha has firmly closed the door on any exit from FC Barcelona for the foreseeable future after putting pen to paper on a new deal that keeps him at the club until June 2028.
Barcelona are bracing themselves for another untimely setback after fears grew on Tuesday night that Dani Olmo could be sidelined until January.
Diego Simeone has urged his Atletico Madrid players to embrace the challenge of facing Barcelona on Tuesday night, after offering sympathy to Hansi Flick following the Barcelona manager's emotional moment with Raphinha at the weekend.
Barcelona defeated Alaves 3-1 at the revamped Camp Nou on Saturday whilst Atletico beat Oviedo 2-0 to maintain the pressure on Real Madrid who play on Sunday.
Barcelona were preparing to unleash Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski from the start as Hansi Flick planned a decisive reshuffle for this afternoon's clash with Deportivo Alaves.
Barcelona's difficult season took another hit this week after Fermin Lopez suffered a calf injury that will rule him out for around two weeks, according to reports in Spain.