Raphinha’s revival at Barcelona under Hansi Flick is nothing short of remarkable. The Brazilian was on the verge of moving this past summer and is now the most important player in Barca. The number 11 recently discussed his Barcelona tale so far, and it raises a few crucial questions: Has Flick been the key to success? And what is Raphinha’s ultimate goal? Let’s dive in.
Flick’s Faith has been the Turning Point in Raphinha’s Barcelona Career
Hansi Flick arrived when Raphinha was lost and had no direction. The player showed passion and desire to succeed at Barcelona, but nothing went wrong. However, the German coach made one thing clear from day one: the Brazilian was a key part of his plans. He told France Football:
“When his arrival was made official, he called me and told me that he was one of the players he counted on, without knowing me or having seen me train.”
Flick transformed Raphinha into an undisputed starter and reliable attacking force. Raphinha’s significant change and red-hot form are not just a fluke; they show that the right manager can extract the best out of a player through tailored guidance and advice.
Raphinha’s Take on Xavi: Did the Spaniard Underutilize the Brazilian?
Raphinha showed gratitude for Xavi and said that the Spanish coach counted on him, which was why he joined Barcelona. He said:
“If he hadn’t been the coach of Barça, I wouldn’t wear this shirt that I’ve always dreamed of wearing. Xavi was convinced that with hard work I would become an important player.”
This shows Xavi’s role in constructing the team, which Flick has perfected to a great extent. Xavi brought many vital players to this present squad under Flick and must be appreciated for his role in Barcelona’s transition period. Critics might argue that Xavi did not develop Raphinha like Flick has, but it must be noted that Xavi was the one who brought Raphinha to the team.
Raphinha is Optimistic for Winning La Liga
The Brazilian was optimistic about catching Real Madrid in the La Liga title race. He talked about how football is very unpredictable. Barcelona is only four points behind Real Madrid on the table, and the Catalans will need to win almost all games to catch Los Blancos to win the race.
Raphinha’s optimism is a sign of belief in Flick’s system. The team is gelled nicely and reports claim that players have been training, even on off days, and are determined to win everything in this final phase of the season.
Raphinha’s Ultimate Dream: Mission Champions League
Although winning La Liga is one of Barcelona’s crucial goals this season, Barcelona’s Samba prince made one thing clear in this interview. He said his ultimate dream is to win the Champions League with Barcelona. And if we look at Raphinha’s stats this season in Europe (13 G/A in 8 games), he seems to be on a mission.
The Brazilian has been one of the team’s standout players in Europe. His hat trick against Bayern, remarkable consistency and cool head have given Barcelona an elite start to the European Champions League. However, he must continue this form in the critical KO rounds to fulfil his dream.
Raphinha’s discussion with France Football was positive and encouraging. If the Brazilian can continue to be the driving force behind Barca’s success, he will surely become a club legend. The player has won the hearts of many and now looks to win silverware for his club.