Raphinha admits he wanted to leave Barcelona and Flick convinced him: “My mind was already elsewhere”

Raphinha has admitted that he came very close to leaving Barcelona before Hansi Flick took over as head coach. In an interview with German outlet Süddeutsche Zeitung, the Brazilian forward says his mind was already made up and that a single conversation with the coach was enough to turn his career around. Now the team's first captain and one of its biggest stars, the attacker has registered 14 goals and 3 assists this season.

• Raphinha says he would no longer be at Barcelona without Hansi Flick.
• The Brazilian had decided to leave after the 2024 Copa América.
• A phone call from the German coach during his holidays changed everything.
• He is now first captain and feels like a leader in the dressing room.
• The player explains how he has adapted to a more central attacking role.

The Flick conversation that stopped Raphinha from leaving Barcelona

The Brazilian forward makes no secret of the fact that his departure seemed almost certain. He explains that Hansi Flick arrived at a time when he had practically closed his chapter as a Barcelona player. His mind was already elsewhere and he wanted to leave. But a call from the German coach changed everything.

Raphinha was on holiday after playing in the Copa América with Brazil when Flick asked him to come and talk before making any decision. The player accepted because he still had a contract with the club. In that meeting, the coach told him he would become very important for the team and that Barcelona would be key for his development as a player. Time has proved him right.

If I had not had that conversation with Flick, and if he had not convinced me within minutes that he believed in me and trusted me, I would not be here now.

The Brazilian recalls that there was no specific reason given and that it was not a particularly long talk. For him it was enough to feel the coach's total confidence. When a manager makes you feel important, few words are needed.

His new role as a false nine

During the interview, the Brazilian was asked whether he could be considered the best number nine in the world right now. Raphinha corrected his interviewer with a smile and said it would be more accurate to call him a false nine. He explained that his transformation has been gradual and that over the past two years he has moved into more central areas than he was used to.

That shift has allowed him to get closer and closer to the opposition goal, something he loves because it is working brilliantly. Still, he points out that there are several players in the squad capable of performing that role. His versatility has become one of the key features of Flick's system.

Raphinha's leadership inside the Barcelona dressing room

Raphinha has gone from being a questioned player to becoming Barcelona's first captain. He admits he did not know how much he would enjoy taking on that responsibility. Being selected for the captain's group already changed his mindset, and now wearing the armband feels like an even greater honour. The Brazilian says it is not just about carrying the band on the pitch, but about feeling valued and discovering qualities he had not recognised in himself before.

When it comes to leadership style, Raphinha describes himself as direct when the situation demands it, although he prefers to keep a positive atmosphere and joke with his teammates. He believes the most powerful message is not delivered through speeches but through example. If he runs like a beast to press the opponent, the rest of the team understands they must do the same.

I get the feeling my teammates think: 'If he runs like a beast to press the opponent, I have to do it too.'

The Brazilian also highlights the maturity of the young players in the squad. He says they are very responsible with their lives and their careers, and that if he ever has to raise his voice, they know it is not for his own benefit but for theirs. That mutual trust, he believes, makes leadership at Barcelona very easy.