Barcelona forward Raphinha revisited his tough moment in Barcelona with former coach Xavi, stating that the Spanish gaffer had no trust in him.
In an interview with Brazil national‑team reporter Isabella Paliari, Raphinha revealed how Xavi would not hesitate to bring someone else on whenever he had the choice.
“I felt that he and the entire coaching staff didn’t trust me,” Raphinha said bluntly. “When there was no one else available, I’d play the full 90 minutes. I gave everything I had and could impact the game, but as soon as there was someone else who could replace me, he’d use them without hesitation.”
The former Leeds attacker joined the Catalans in 2022, and spent the first two years of his season in Spain with the Barca legend.
However, revisiting key moments of his professional and personal journey, Raphinha indicated his time with Xavi as a tough one. He explained how their relationship eventually became irreparable.
“I tried to fix it. We talked many times, but I found nothing ever changed. He’s stubborn in his views,” he said.
“Sometimes, I’d be playing really well, and just past the 60‑minute mark, I’d be taken off. That’s why I’d get so angry when I was subbed.
“There’s this iconic video of me storming back to the bench and pounding it in fury. It was the match against Manchester United, I’d played extremely well, scored a goal, and provided an assist. The score was 2–2, I’d just created a fantastic chance. Yet he took me off. I felt in top form, completely in the rhythm of the game, and I was the first one subbed. I couldn’t believe it,” he recalled.
Raphinha was close to leaving last summer to the Saudis, after the Copa America but the introduction of Hansi Flick, as new head coach, gave him fresh hope.
He also revealed how his wife, Nathalia, ultimately changed his mind, after he was already prepared to move to Saudi Arabia. He had even reached out to Neymar to learn about life and football there.
“I had a deep conversation with her, I told her I felt like going there would be good for us. I’ve achieved my dream, and I don’t have the energy to deal with certain things anymore.
“She replied, ‘Do you think, once you get the promised wages there, you’ll still have the drive to train and fight for titles?’ She said the spark was gone from my eyes, reminding me that what I really wanted is not going there.
“I told her I still have huge potential. If the new coach is fair, I could win him over in a week. In fact, it took me less than a week to make Flick a believer.”
The Brazilian was on vacation after the Copa America, when he got a call from Hansi Flick. He was told to resume training, that he was been waited for and would be given a key role.
He went on to praise the former Bayern Munich coach as a kind and caring manager. “For me, Flick is someone who cares a lot about the players. Not just who’s playing, but even who’s not,” he said.
Since Flick joined Barca, Raphinha has been in tremendous form, winning won two trophies already with the German. He is also very close to clinching the La Liga title as well as the UEFA Champions League.
Meanwhile, Raphinha scored 20 goals and provided 23 assists under Xavi in two seasons. However in one season, he already has 31 goals and 22 assists.
He has created 143 chances in all competitions, a total bettered by only Bruno Fernandes (145) among players in Europe’s big five leagues. Also, Raphinha has contributed to 20 goals in this season’s Champions League, one shy of the all-time record in a single season in the competition, set by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013-14.
The Brazilian is also a tight contender for the Ballon d’Or, alongside fellow Catalans, Lamine Yamal and Pedri.
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