Barcelona winger Raphinha has revealed that he came close to leaving the club earlier this year, admitting that serious thoughts about an exit crossed his mind before a key conversation with manager Hansi Flick changed everything.
“Obviously, I thought about leaving,” Raphinha said. “I felt it might be time to go, but then we spoke to the coach — first over the phone and later at the start of preseason — and he managed to convince me to stay.”
The Brazilian international’s comments shed light on a tense period at Camp Nou during the summer, when several players were linked with departures amid financial pressures and squad restructuring under Flick.
Raphinha’s decision to remain could prove crucial for Barcelona as the club continues its rebuild under the German manager, who views the winger as an important part of his tactical plans for the season.