Raphinha refuses to discuss Aston Villa win: 'Today is not the day'

Raphinha scored twice in Barcelona's Champions League win over Aston Villa but declined to discuss the match, dedicating the victory to the memory of deceased Spanish football official Jesús de Miguel.

Barcelona defeated Aston Villa in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Lamine Yamal opening the scoring and Raphinha adding two goals. The Brazilian's brace took his tally to 23 Champions League goals for Barça, matching Robert Lewandowski's record for the club and placing him behind only Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez in the competition's history.

However, Raphinha refused to discuss the performance after the match, his thoughts focused on the death of Spanish football official Jesús de Miguel. "Sorry, but today is not the day to talk about football," he told Movistar. "Of course I want to dedicate this victory to the supporters, but above all I want to wish De Miguel's family all the strength. May he rest in peace." When asked to elaborate on the match, Raphinha declined: "No, I want to leave it at these words for Jesús and his family. You go out on the pitch to play a match, anyone can experience something like this... The news hit hard. I am shocked and sad."

The Spanish Football Federation postponed all Copa del Rey matches scheduled for the week following De Miguel's death, though European club competitions continue as scheduled.