Raphinha on Julián Álvarez and Atlético Madrid: "I don't understand what they did"

Raphinha sat down with RAC1 and produced several headlines about Barcelona's present and the transfer market. The Brazilian captain said he is not surprised by his spectacular start to the season, admitted he had never played as a centre forward with so much continuity and confessed that matching Leo Messi's numbers at the start of a campaign feels completely crazy.

• Raphinha believes his numbers this season are the result of daily work and do not scare him.
• He admits he had never played as a number nine so regularly and feels comfortable in that role.
• He does not understand Atlético Madrid's stance on Julián Álvarez, who made clear he wanted to leave.
• He insists the Ballon d'Or should go to Lamine Yamal ahead of any other candidate.
• He feels the team is physically strong under Flick and sees Barcelona capable of winning LaLiga and the Champions League.

Raphinha's goalscoring explosion at Barcelona

The Brazilian international has scored nine goals in LaLiga and two more in the Champions League. Despite the weight of those numbers, Raphinha insists he is not surprised by his own form because the work he puts in every day allowed him to expect a strong start to the season. He does admit, however, that the numbers could scare people looking from the outside.

I expected to start the season well. They are numbers that can scare people, but because of the work I do, I knew I could start well.

His early-season numbers have even placed him above those posted by Leo Messi in his best starts with Barcelona. For the Brazilian, surpassing the player he considers the best in history is wild, and he makes clear that the Argentine cannot be compared with anyone.

Playing as a centre forward for the first time under Flick

From right winger to regular number nine

Raphinha explained that he had never played as a number nine with so much consistency. At most he had done it occasionally or in training, but never in such a sustained way. What has surprised him is how comfortable he feels in that area of the pitch, even though central defenders make him feel the physical battle in every game.

The change came after a match against Basel, when Flick told him he would play up front and would move to the wing during the game. Before LaLiga started, the German coach asked whether he felt comfortable there or preferred Gordon to lead the line. Raphinha said he was fine, although he initially had doubts about occupying that position.

How Hansi Flick changed his Barcelona future

The Barcelona captain also revealed that his future at the club changed completely with Flick's arrival. After the Copa América he had decided to leave Barcelona, but the new coach's faith transformed his situation and gave him back a leading role in the team.

The Julián Álvarez case and Atlético Madrid's decision

Raphinha spoke again about Julián Álvarez's departure from Atlético Madrid. The Brazilian does not understand what the club did in that situation because he believes that when a footballer is not comfortable at a team, it becomes very difficult for things to go well on the pitch.

I don't understand what Atlético did because if a player is uncomfortable somewhere, speaking personally, it is difficult for things to go well for him. He made clear that he wanted to leave.

The Barcelona captain spoke from personal experience and argued that when a player clearly expresses his wish to leave, the most logical step is to make the exit easier. It is a position he had already suggested in previous public comments about the market.

Raphinha campaigns for Lamine Yamal's Ballon d'Or

Raphinha also backed Lamine Yamal for the Ballon d'Or. He considers it unfair that Pedri and he were not closer to the award, but his choice is clear: the prize must go to the young Barcelona winger. The Brazilian pointed out that Lamine has strong numbers, has won titles with the club and also lifted the World Cup with Spain.

For Raphinha, people pay whatever it takes to watch Lamine on the pitch, and he would do the same. Asked about Kylian Mbappé, the Barcelona captain had no doubts: his Ballon d'Or is Lamine, no question.

Barcelona's goals: LaLiga and the Champions League

On the collective front, Raphinha is clear about the target. Winning the Champions League and another LaLiga title would be the best thing he could experience at Barcelona. With the team's current level, he believes they are in a position to compete for everything until the end.

The captain's role and the team's physical preparation

Raphinha explained how the captaincy came about. During Gamper week, Flick told him that Eric García, Pedri and he would be captains for the time being because Frenkie de Jong was injured and someone needed to speak to the players on the pitch. Afterwards, the coach confirmed he would be captain. The Brazilian admits people tell him that when he wears the armband he seems to have a different kind of strength.

On last season's injuries, Raphinha acknowledged he could perhaps have looked after himself a little more, although he would not change many things. He has spent at least seven years taking care of his diet, physiotherapy and work in the gym and on the pitch. With the arrival of the new fitness coach on Flick's staff, the team has reached a spectacular physical level in matches.

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