Raphinha admits that he wanted to leave Barcelona and that Flick convinced him: "My mind was already elsewhere"'

Raphinha , forward for F.C. Barcelona and the team's great leader this season, has given an interview to "Süddeutsche Zeitung" in which he acknowledges that "without Hansi Flick, I would no longer be here" .'

Am I the best number nine in the world? I mean the best false nine...

The Barça captain, who has a total of 14 goals and 3 assists so far this season, answered Javier Cáceres 's question about whether "is it possible that we are talking to the best "number nine" in the world right now?".

Hansi Flick arrived at a time (2024) when I had practically considered my time at Barcelona over. My mind was already elsewhere; I wanted to leave

'"With the best false nine, you mean... It was more of a gradual process, an adaptation that stretched over the last two years and that, little by little, made me drift inward, playing more centrally than I was used to. In this way, I gradually moved closer to the opposing goal. And I like it! Because it is working wonderfully. Although I would say that we have several players capable of performing that role," replied the Brazilian.'

Raphina explains the details of his conversation with Flick that convinced him to stay at Barça in 2024

Raphina admitted that "Hansi Flick arrived at a time (2024) when I had practically considered my time at Barcelona over. My mind was already elsewhere; I wanted to leave".

If I hadn't had that conversation with Flick, and if he hadn't conveyed to me within a matter of minutes the conviction that he was backing me and trusted me, I wouldn't be here right now

"If I hadn't had that conversation with Flick, and if he hadn't conveyed to me within minutes the conviction that he was backing me and trusting me, I wouldn't be here right now. For me, that was enormously important," he shared.

'About that conversation which changed Barcelona's recent history, the Brazilian revealed that "I was on holiday after the Copa América with Brazil when he called me and said: "Before making a decision, come here and let's talk." Of course, I agreed; I still had a contract with Barcelona. He told me that he had the feeling that I would become very important for the team, and that the team would be key to my development as a player. Looking back, it has to be acknowledged that that was indeed the case".'

"He didn't mention a specific reason. Nor was it necessary for him to go into so much detail. I’d say it wasn’t even an especially long conversation. When a coach conveys confidence to you, just a few words are enough. And I immediately sensed that he had absolute confidence in me," he shared.

Raphinha: "I didn't know I would like playing the role of captain so much"

Regarding his role as captain, he stated that "I didn't know I would like performing this function so much, that I would enjoy feeling and taking on the responsibility so much. It was already fantastic for me to be chosen for the group of captains; that changed my mentality. Being now the first captain is an even greater honor... It's not so much about wearing the captain's armband on the field. Rather, it's about feeling that they consider you important and that someone sees qualities in you that I myself had not recognized before. It was as if they had changed my mindset."

If I have to be tough, I am. But I like to get along with everyone and joke with them

'Raphina defined himself as a leader at Barça: "It depends on the moment. If I have to be tough, I am. But I like to get along well with everyone and joke with them. Right now, naturally, there’s no need to tighten the screws on the boys, although I could do it. But, in the end, what’s decisive is how you behave on the pitch".'

"If you talk a lot but then don't do what you should, no one will listen to you. I get the feeling that my teammates think: "If he runs like a beast to press the opponent, I have to do it too." And when you reach that point, many words are no longer needed. But I must also say that the young players on our team are very responsible when it comes to their lives and their careers. If I ever have to raise my voice, they know it's not for me, but for them. You see, it's very easy to exercise leadership at Barça," he shared.