Raphinha: Flick convinced me to stay at Barcelona
- Source
- MarcaTier 1
- By
- ENRIQUE CORBELLA
- Published
Key points
- Brazilian forward was ready to leave in 2024 before Flick's arrival changed his mind
- Flick called during Copa América break and persuaded him to stay with a brief conversation
- Raphinha has 14 goals and 3 assists this season and now captains the club
Summary
Raphinha has revealed to Süddeutsche Zeitung that he was on his way out of Barcelona when Hansi Flick arrived in 2024. The winger's head was already elsewhere, but a phone call from the manager during his Copa América holiday proved decisive. Flick asked him to come and talk before making any decision, and in a short conversation conveyed absolute faith in him and his role in the team's future.
The Brazilian credits that moment with keeping him at the club. He has since thrived under Flick's system, moving into a more central role as a false nine, and has embraced the captaincy with unexpected enthusiasm. Raphinha said the armband changed his mentality and made him recognise qualities in himself he had not seen before.
Original headline
Raphinha confiesa que quiso dejar el Barcelona y que Flick le convenció: "Mi cabeza ya estaba en otra parte"
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