Raphinha: "Without the conversation with Hansi Flick I would no longer be at Barcelona"

Raphinha has opened the door to one of the most defining stories of his career: the Brazilian insists that, without a conversation with Hansi Flick in 2024, he would no longer be wearing the Barcelona shirt. The captain has shared the details of that moment in an interview with a group of European media outlets, in which he also discusses his transformation into a centre forward, his leadership in the dressing room and Lamine Yamal's Ballon d'Or candidacy.

• Raphinha had decided to leave Barcelona in 2024, but Hansi Flick convinced him to stay in a matter of minutes.
• The German coach was key to his transformation into the team's number nine.
• The Brazilian feels like a "big brother" to Lamine Yamal and sees him as the top favourite for the Ballon d'Or.
• He believes Barcelona have everything needed to win the Champions League and any other title.

The conversation with Hansi Flick that changed his Barcelona future

The Brazilian forward tells it without hesitation: by the time the German coach arrived, his chapter at the Catalan club was practically over. His mind was already elsewhere and his departure seemed only a matter of time. But a phone call from Flick during his holidays after the Copa América changed everything.

I was on holiday when he called me and said: 'Before you make a decision, come and talk to me.' He told me he felt I was still going to be very important for the team.

Raphinha recalls that no long explanation or specific reason was needed: the coach gave him immediate confidence and that was enough. Within minutes, the idea of leaving disappeared. The Brazilian describes Flick as the person who changed his mindset, both on and off the pitch.

How Raphinha became Barcelona's number nine

Raphinha's conversion into a centre forward was not an improvised decision. The player himself explains that it was a gradual process that developed over the last two years. Little by little he moved his position inside, played more centrally and got closer to the opposition goal.

The first serious test came in a friendly against Basel, when the coach decided to try him in that role. Later, before the match against Elche, Flick asked him if he felt comfortable there and the answer was clear: yes. Since then, the Brazilian's performances as the attacking reference have been outstanding and he celebrates it himself: "I like it, because it is working wonderfully."

Raphinha's leadership and his bond with Lamine Yamal

The Brazilian places enormous value on the Barcelona captaincy, a role he carries naturally within a young dressing room. In that context, his relationship with Lamine Yamal holds a special place. Raphinha describes himself as a "big brother" to the academy graduate and has no doubts about his Ballon d'Or candidacy.

For the Barcelona captain, Lamine has every argument in his favour: magic, charisma, spectacular numbers and titles. He notes that the young winger already posted outstanding figures last season, won two of the three possible titles with Barça and also won the World Cup with the Spanish national team. That is why he considers him the number one candidate for the award.

Raphinha also refers to his own absence, and that of Pedri, from the Ballon d'Or lists, although he prefers not to dwell on it. He only admits that seeing Lamine win would be a consolation and a source of satisfaction for him.

What is at stake for Barcelona in the 2025-2026 Champions League

The Catalan side enters the Champions League having learned from last season. The elimination against Inter Milan in 2025, when the team had one foot in the final, left a deep wound. Raphinha admits that the squad was very young and lacked the maturity to manage certain moments of matches.

The feeling is different now. The Brazilian believes the team is better prepared and has everything needed to compete for any title. Confidence in Flick's project is total, and the dressing room accepts the Champions League as a realistic objective.

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