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Raphinha harshly criticized the way Xavi Hernandez managed players during his tenure at Barcelona, offering praise instead for the humane traits of his current coach, Hansi Flick.
The Brazilian forward has seen a remarkable improvement in his performances since Flick replaced Xavi over the summer. It was a phone call from Flick that convinced Raphinha to turn down what he referred to as a “life-altering” financial offer from Saudi Arabia. Under Xavi’s management, Raphinha reached a point where he was considering leaving Barcelona after two years.
“I felt like [Xavi’s] coaching team lacked faith in me,” Raphinha shared with Isabel Pagliari this week. “When other options weren’t available, I was there, playing full matches. I gave everything, influencing games. But as soon as there was another [player] option, they chose them without hesitation.”
“Sometimes, I was doing everything for 60 minutes and they would take me off. There’s a famous video in which I explode when I reach the bench and punch it. I think it was the game against Manchester United [in the Europa League in 2023]. I had done really well. I had scored and set up a goal. I think it was 2-2 and they took me off.
“I had just created a really good chance. I felt good and was playing well. And I was the first player taken off. I could not believe it.”
|
Stat |
Hansi Flick |
Xavi Hernandez |
|---|---|---|
|
Games |
52 |
87 |
|
Goals |
31 |
20 |
|
Assists |
25 |
25 |
|
Minutes per goal |
135.8 |
245 |
Stats via Transfermarkt.
“I tried to fix the situation,” Raphinha continued. “I had several conversations with [Xavi], but I saw that it was making no difference. He had his way of thinking.”
Flick, by contrast, has rarely overlooked his all-action forward. Raphinha has appeared in 52 of Barcelona’s 55 games this season, directly contributing to a staggering glut of 56 goals. “He is someone who looks out for all the players, those that are playing and those that are not playing,” Raphinha gushed.
“I really noticed that when Vitor Roque left,” the left winger added. “I was really moved by how he dealt with that. He was more concerned than Vitor about what was happening. He went to speak with the club to find out all about the situation and he spoke with [Roque].”
