Barcelona winger Raphinha has opened up about his emotional journey, admitting that he seriously considered leaving the club after a challenging season. In an exclusive interview with Globo Esporte, posted on Friday, Raphinha revealed how constant transfer speculation and a disappointing season left him mentally unsettled.
“I wasn’t feeling mentally comfortable until Flick called me,” Raphinha confessed. “Every day, there were rumors linking me to other clubs. Things didn’t go as planned—I had a worse season than expected, and people were suggesting I should leave. The constant reports of my departure really made me consider it.”
However, everything changed after a crucial phone call from Barcelona’s new manager, Hansi Flick. “Flick called me personally and asked me to come to training before making any decisions,” Raphinha explained. “He wanted to talk to me and told me he counted on me. That call was the turning point that convinced me to stay.”
The Brazilian winger went on to explain that after discussing the situation with his wife, he made the decision to remain at Camp Nou. “I spoke with my wife and said, ‘If this man is fair and sees the effort I’ve put in, I will stay.’”
Now, under Flick’s guidance, Raphinha is back to his best form as Barcelona pushes for major honors this season. The conversation with Flick not only changed his outlook but also reignited his passion for the game, proving the importance of strong leadership in turning things around.
