Until Hansi Flick took charge at Barcelona, Raphinha’s name was always in the spotlight. To begin with, because of his price: the Barça entity paid 58 million euros to Leeds for his signing. Another of his problems, at least for Xavi Hernández, then Barça coach, was his position. The Brazilian stood out in the same area as his protégé, Dembélé. But not even with Xavi off the bench and with Dembélé in Paris, Raphinha could not be at peace. Last summer, when Barcelona needed to make a splash in the market, president Joan Laporta assured that he really liked Nico Williams and that the Barça club could afford the operation. Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal were untouchable. The one pointed out, then, was none other than Raphinha. And it was once again. The striker’s patience was so worn out that he even commented on Instagram a video of a Youtuber who pretended to have Williams’ first shirt with the number 11, the number worn by the South American winger.
“It was a bad joke. It was his opinion, but it was a lack of respect for my work,” the Brazilian complained. He clarified, in any case, that everyone can put “the number they want and the names they want.” He made it clear again, in any case, that he did not like the Youtuber’s staging. A staging encouraged by Laporta’s words that sought to excite the fans.
It happened, however, that Nico Williams stayed in Bilbao and with Muniain’s 10, while Raphinha stayed in Barcelona and no one touched his 11. But something better happened for Raphinha: Hansi Flick. “The shirt and number thing didn’t influence my start, but I am motivated, I have two years of contract. I started knowing that I had to adapt to other positions and another way of playing. But I give my best: if before I worked 100 percent, now I give 200.”
Raphinha’s effort translates into his numbers. He has six goals and eight assists in 12 games this season. That is, he has participated in 1.17 goals for Barcelona. With Xavi on the bench his numbers drop to 0.51. “The change is a bit mental and a bit tactical, but the confidence that the coach gives me, that the players give me and how they try to help me is also very important to me. After three years at the club, I am willing to learn a little more, whether with the veterans or the young players,” Raphinha said in the preview of his match against Bayern, his 100th in the Barça shirt.
Raphinha has the trust of Flick and his teammates, elected captain ahead of Lewandowski, the team’s star. At least that’s what his contract indicates, the highest in the squad. “The truth is that it is a huge pride to wear the armband, but I think that being a captain is not only about wearing the armband on the field, but also in the locker room: helping the team in every way you can, the veterans and the players. young people, listen to them, see if people are good or bad, if they need something. I just try to help everyone as much as I can. “I am always available,” Raphinha concluded. A new Raphinha, scorer on the field, captain in the press room.
