Raphinha has spoken candidly about his turbulent relationship with former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez. In a recent interview with Brazilian journalist Isabela Pagliari, the 28-year-old winger didn’t hold back in expressing his frustrations.
According to Raphinha, he never felt fully supported by Xavi and his coaching staff, regardless of his efforts on the pitch. “I felt like Xavi and his staff didn’t trust me. Even when I gave everything in just 60 minutes, I was still subbed off. I tried to talk to him several times, but nothing changed—he stuck to his ideas,” Raphinha said.
This tension wasn’t new to keen observers. The clash between the player and coach became evident during a Europa League match against Manchester United. Despite scoring a goal and providing an assist, Raphinha was substituted in the 60th minute, which led to an explosive reaction.
Frustrated, the Brazilian lashed out by punching a cooler filled with energy drinks, injuring his leg in the process. “I had just created a clear chance and felt great. Then I saw I was the first to be taken off again. I was stunned,” he recalled.
The incident, caught on camera, quickly went viral.While some criticized his behavior as unprofessional, others admired his fierce desire to keep fighting for the team.
Now under new coach Hansi Flick, Raphinha appears to have found a more defined role. Whether he can fully move past a challenging chapter in his Barcelona career remains to be seen
