I was out of Barça. Outside is out. It is no exaggeration. A dispensable piece was felt, devoid of trust, without understanding Xavi's changes. He had taken away self -esteem in such a way that he considered making his bags, taking the money from Saudi Arabia and disappearing from the European elite.
“I talked to Flick and changed my thought, my life has changed.” More resounding could not be Raphinha, who has signed an impressive metamorphosis. He was a evicted player, who had no future as Barça. Now, however, it is Captain, pillar of the project -he was renewing his contract for another year, from 2027 to 2028-, and Barça de Flick is not understood without his generosity, dynamism and efficiency.
He has played more than ever (56 games), has scored more goals than ever (25 in a course, while scoring 20 in the previous two seasons) and has given more assists than in his entire sports career: 34. The inconstant and furious striker who looked every time Xavi replaced him has given way to a candidate for the Golden Ball, recognized even in your country After traveling along the secondary roads of European football, without pomp and propaganda that usually accompanies any Brazilian star. He was not. Raphinha has become a starand world draft, in just one year. The year he has lived with Hansi.
“I changed me practically everything. I, before starting this season, left the club,” said the captain who did even campaigned in the locker room to collect support. And he achieved them. Captain with a bracelet, capable of whispering with the ear details of the life of Lamine Yamal to guide him such if he were a sports father. It is not.
But Raphinha, with 28 years -“is in a Perfect age, of maturity, has never surrendered“Deco said, who was his agent and it is no longer to assume the role of Barca Sports Director- it has cost him everything much more, unknown and anonymous as it was in Brazil.
He arrived in Europe through the back doorfrom the Avai where it began in the lower categories, then debuting in the first team. He left for the Vitoria de Guimaraes subsidiary (Portugal), which paid 600,000 euros for its signing, keeping 45% of its property.
Then Raphinha left to Sporting from Lisbon (fleeting and without success), prior to his trip to France (Stade de Rennes) where he shone to attract the attention of Leeds in the Premier. Just two seasons and a transfer of 58 million, plus nine in variables, much discussed at the time, brought him to Barcelona.
He made a good first year, but everything was twisted in the second, angry as he was because Xavi, the time time arrived, took it out of the countryside. And the Brazilian did not mind showing his anger hitting punch in the air, baffled by those decisions that deprived him, in his opinion, of the necessary continuity.
Raphinha embraces the Barcelona coach, Hansi Flick. / Jordi Cotrina
A season ago, and when he meditated very seriously to Arabia, its market value, according to Transfermarkt, the reference website was 50 million. Now, however, it is 80. And Barça does not want the 'Raphinha Treasure' to escape his hands.
It renews it until 2028, it raises its salary -not comparable in any case to which it could receive from Arabic football -maintains the untouchable condition that has been won in the field because it considers that it is an essential part of the new project. Without Flick, who has just renewed until 2027, no trace would be of him in Barcelona.
Raphinha celebrates su with Hansi Flick, en Montjuïc. / Jordi Cotrina
“I had all the trust and that has allowed me to do everything I have done and my career has changed. My best career since I am a footballer“, confesses the Brazilian grateful to the day he met Flick. That day, summer of 2024, a new raphinha was born.
A new and splendid player, capable of signing an impeccable Champions: 13 goals in 14 games and has also given nine assists. That is, he has participated in 23 of the 43 goals that Barça has achieved. 53%. A real offensive madness.
“I owe everything to him.” With Marcelo Bielsa, the first Flick of his lifeshe crossed her knees by fulfilling the promise she did if the Leeds was saved. And it was saved. With Hansi he also crossed Montjuïc on his knees, along with his son Gael and Natalia, his wife. “Raphinha should be a serious candidate for the Golden Ball,” said Marquinhos, the captain of the Paris SG, which will be measured on May 31 in the Champions League final to Inter.
“I have cried a lot. If you don't take care of yourself, football destroys you. It is very easy to enter a depression and leave everything”
“Has All options to win the Golden Ball“Henry also proclaimed before the CBS cameras, amazed at the enormous performance that the Brazilian has provided. And all that recognition comes after hard and dark months. Very dark.
“The portion of fury that Barça was missing”
“I have had many reasons to give myself, to leave football aside and continue with my life. It is a profession that destroys you,” he confessed to Rac-1 at the beginning of the season when I did not imagine that the best was yet to come.
Raphinha, in the warm-up of Barça-Villarreal in Montjuïc. / Jordi Cotrina
“I have had moments when I got home and I didn't know if I would get up in the morning to come to train again. I have cried a lot, also here. I do psychological work because I have seen that it is very important. Everyone would have to do because it helps a lot, “said the striker.
“If you don't take care of yourself, football destroys you. It is very easy to enter a depression and leave everything, “Raphinha acknowledged, the Brazilian who has scored the most goals in a Champions League surpassing ancient stars like rivaldo and modern like Neymar.
Raphinha is, as Leonardo Miranda wrote in the newspaper 'O Globo' in Brazil, “the portion of fury that Barça lacked.”
