This season has been a true spectacle for Raphinha, who has established himself as one of the stars of FC Barcelona. With an impressive tally of 31 goals in 52 matches, the Brazilian has far surpassed his performance in previous seasons, where he barely reached double digits.
In a recent interview with journalist Isabela Pagliari, Raphinha did not hesitate to point out Xavi Hernández, his former coach, as one of the factors that limited his growth at the club. "I felt that Xavi and his coaching staff did not trust me enough. Sometimes I did everything in 60 minutes, but he substituted me. I tried to fix my situation, talked a lot with him, but there were no changes. He had his own way of thinking," the winger confessed.
Recalling a key moment in his career, Raphinha mentioned a match against Manchester United in which, despite scoring a goal and providing an assist, he was the first to be substituted. "I felt comfortable and was playing very well. And I was the first change. When I saw it, I couldn't believe it," he recounted with frustration.
The arrival of Hansi Flick has marked a turning point in Raphinha's trajectory at Barça. "He cares about the players," the Brazilian stated, who joined the new culé project after a conversation with the German coach during the Copa América. His commitment to the team has been evident, and his performance on the field backs it up.
Additionally, Raphinha, who holds dual Brazilian and Italian nationality, revealed that he was close to representing Italy in the 2020 Euro, but fate had a different path in store for him. "I was close to playing with the Italian national team in the Euro they won. I was supposed to go, it was practically done. Luckily, the passport didn't arrive," he commented, making it clear that his heart has always been with the Canarinha.
With an eye on upcoming challenges, including the semifinal return of the Champions League against Inter Milan, Raphinha has become a fundamental pillar of the team. His evolution and adaptation to Flick's style of play have been remarkable, and Barça fans hope he continues to shine on the pitch.