Raphinha joined Barcelona in 2022 after leaving Leeds United. Under his former coach Xavi, the Brazilian striker has had inconsistent form. There was a time when he was rumored to have left Camp Nou to find a new destination. However, Hansi Flick came to replace Xavi and things were completely different.
Sharing with Globo, the 28-year-old star revealed that he has wanted to leave Barca many times. October 2022 was the peak of frustration as Raphinha wanted to move as quickly as possible. However, everything is in contrast now as these are the Brazilian star's best days.
Since the beginning of the season, Raphinha has played 42 matches in all competitions. He has 27 goals and 20 assists. Last season, the former Leeds striker scored just 10 goals and had 13 assists in 37 appearances. Last season, he only had 10 goals and 12 assists. In the first 2 years at Barcelona, everything was very difficult for Raphinha.
"Everything was not simple at that time. I had an unexpected season. I have heard many people say they hope I have to leave, say that I am not good enough to play for this club. There is such news every day. I really considered this at that time.
However, after Copa America, Hansi Flick called and told me to just come to practice normally before making a decision. He kept telling me and wanted to rely on me in the new season.
That call was one of the biggest reasons I stayed here. At that time, I told my wife that if Flick was a fairy, as long as he had seen my performance on the training ground for exactly a week, Flick would not regret it. And in the end, everything worked," Raphinha said.
Up to the Champions League quarter-finals, Raphinha is the tournament's top scorer with 11 goals. Meanwhile, in La Liga, he has 13 goals but this number is not enough to enter the Top 3 of the top scorer race. The list leader is Raphinha's Barcelona teammate Robert Lewandowski with 22 goals.
In the Champions League quarter-finals, Barcelona will face Borussia Dortmund and their chance of advancing is very high. Meanwhile, in La Liga, the Blaugrana are leading the league with 60 points after 27 matches. They are tied with arch-rivals Real Madrid but have played one game less and are in control of their ownership.
If Raphinha continues this form until the end of the season, in a year without a World Cup or EURO, he has the potential to become the next Brazilian player to win the Ballon d'Or, after Kaka's last time in 2007.
