Raphinha’s Resurgence at Barcelona: From Uncertainty to Key Player

It is intriguing to consider how close Barcelona came to parting ways with Raphinha during the summer of 2024.

Despite a lackluster performance in his initial seasons, Raphinha retained a respectable market value, prompting the financially constrained Catalan club to contemplate selling him to support a transfer for Nico Williams. Raphinha himself was also open to the possibility of leaving, a thought that had crossed his mind during a particularly challenging start to his tenure at Barcelona.

“My adaptation to the club was difficult,” Raphinha stated in an interview with RAC1, reflecting on his €60 million (£50m/$66m) move from Leeds United. “I anticipated that it would be a significant transition, but I didn’t expect it to be so tough personally. This did weigh on my mind, and I often considered leaving—not at the end of the season, but during the first half. Barcelona is an enormous club, and it is normal for adaptation to be challenging. However, I was unaccustomed to that level of struggle.”

By the latter half of his second season, Raphinha began to find his footing, acknowledging that the three goals he scored in the Champions League quarter-finals against Paris Saint-Germain marked a turning point. Yet, this improvement only increased the likelihood of his departure, as external interest in him grew.

A significant shift occurred when Barcelona dismissed Xavi and appointed Flick as the new head coach. Raphinha shared in an interview with Globo Esporte, “After the 2024 Copa America, I was again contemplating leaving Barcelona. Daily rumors circulated about potential transfers. Things hadn’t gone as expected; I had a subpar season, and the outcry for my departure was incessant. I seriously contemplated leaving, as I wasn’t feeling mentally at ease until Flick reached out to me.”

Raphinha had discussions with Flick, first over the phone and then face-to-face prior to the start of the pre-season. Before these talks, Raphinha, who began his career in Brazil’s varzea tournaments, was seriously considering a lucrative offer to play in Saudi Arabia.

“I’ve been playing football since the age of 15,” he told ESPN. “Having experienced highs and lows throughout my career, I reached a point where I felt I needed to prioritize my family’s well-being. Accepting that offer would have significantly improved not just my life, but also the lives of my parents and my child.”

Ultimately, Flick persuaded Raphinha to remain at Barcelona, and he is now immensely thankful for that decision. He admitted feeling frustration regarding his previous role under Xavi, noting that while he had no issues contributing defensively, he felt he was required to retreat too far and remain too wide, diminishing his involvement in the club’s attacking strategies.

“I am a player who enjoys scoring and assisting,” he explained on La Liga’s official website. “The closer I am to the goal, the more opportunities I have to score or assist, whereas being further out on the wing complicates things.”

Under Flick’s guidance, Raphinha has become central to Barcelona’s game plan. His absence is notably felt when he is not on the pitch. During the first half of the season, Barcelona faced various injuries, and Flick openly expressed his disappointment regarding Raphinha’s unavailability, recognizing his essential role in the team: “He’s crucial for us because he drives the pressure.”

Raphinha leads by example with his work ethic and is vocal about demanding more from his teammates. “I often feel like I might be too demanding, perhaps even annoying,” he confided in a TikTok interview. “There are moments when my teammates think I talk too much, but that’s simply my nature. I hold them to a higher standard because I know they are capable of more, and I embrace that responsibility. After games, we celebrate our victories together.”

As Barcelona heads into the New Year, they are well-positioned for potential success, thanks in large part to Raphinha’s return. The team has suffered four losses this season, three of which occurred while Raphinha was sidelined due to injury, and he began the other on the bench. Since returning, Raphinha has started seven matches, culminating in victories every time, where he has directly contributed to eight goals.

His influence extends beyond the pitch; his presence uplifts his teammates, especially the younger players. “Having Raphinha in our squad is immensely beneficial, particularly for the younger members,” remarked left-back Alejandro Balde, who noted Raphinha’s readiness to provide advice.

Raphinha has also provided reassurances to Flick during tense moments. Following a challenging win against Alaves, he comforted his visibly emotional coach, stating, “We will improve and be much better in the upcoming matches,” a prediction that has since proven accurate.

Barcelona is currently riding a nine-game winning streak across all competitions, with a decisive 5-0 victory over Athletic Club in the Spanish Cup semi-finals serving as a powerful statement. Raphinha was instrumental in this match, contributing two assists and scoring a goal, reminiscent of his consistently impactful performances last season, suggesting that 2026 could be an even more remarkable year for the Brazilian.

He has described winning the Champions League as a “personal challenge” and lifting the World Cup as his “greatest dream.” Furthermore, he has expressed motivation stemming from the disappointment of not receiving the recognition he felt he deserved after what was arguably the best season of his career—a sentiment that could ultimately benefit Barcelona.

Flick aptly noted that Raphinha’s omission from The Best FIFA Men’s 11 was “a joke,” but Barcelona may end up enjoying the fruits of his determination. While Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid has yet to rebound from his 2024 Ballon d’Or setback, Raphinha’s quest for redemption appears poised for remarkable success.