After seemingly declining in the years following Lionel Messi’s departure, Barcelona has reached new heights under Hansi Flick. Raphinha is one of the current players who have greatly improved under the German head coach’s leadership. He has been a revelation.
Raphinha had been struggling since leaving Leeds United in 2022, but since Flick joined the team, he has been amazing. In fact, he admitted in an interview with ESPN Brazil (via MD) that he might not have been at Barcelona if the former manager of Germany and Bayern Munich had not taken over.
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“I obviously considered leaving; I felt that it might be time to go, but after talking to the coach over the phone and then at the start of preseason, he was able to persuade me to stay. And I’m glad he persuaded me.
“I was really apprehensive about the Saudi Arabian offer that we received. My personal life, my parents’, my son’s, and many others’ would have been resolved. I’ve played football since I was fifteen years old, and I’ve experienced both good and bad things in my life. At one point, I felt it was time to look after my family and myself.
Raphinha’s 2025–26 season has been difficult thus far.
Raphinha had 34 goals and 22 assists in the previous season, but his play has not been as strong this year. Although he has made seven appearances and recorded three goals and two assists, Barcelona has not been able to rely on him in recent weeks due to injury. He will return sooner rather than later, though, and will have time to play himself back into condition.
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