There was a time when Raphinha had already made up his mind to leave Barcelona.
Not “maybe.” Not “I was thinking about it.”
According to the Brazilian himself, his mind was already elsewhere. He believed his Barça chapter was coming to an end in 2024.
Then came one phone call from Hansi Flick. 📞👀
Raphinha has now revealed that Flick asked him to return from his holiday and speak with him before making a final decision. During that conversation, the German coach told him that he trusted him, believed in him and saw him as an important player for Barcelona.
Those few words completely changed the situation.
🗣️ Raphinha: “Without a conversation I had with Hansi Flick, I wouldn’t be here anymore.”
The Brazilian says Flick “changed my mentality” and gave him the confidence to play his football again.
And what happened afterwards has been remarkable. 🔥
Raphinha went from a player who was considering an exit to becoming one of Barcelona’s most important attacking figures. He is now the club’s captain and has even been deployed as a No.9 under Flick.
The transformation has continued into the current campaign.
Raphinha recently scored a hat-trick against Sevilla, taking his LaLiga tally to 12 goals in seven matches, while Barcelona maintained their perfect start to the league season.
But perhaps the most fascinating part of his story isn’t even the goals.
It’s the relationship between the player and the coach. 🤝❤️
Raphinha says the coach-player relationship is extremely important and described Flick as the person who changed his mentality both at Barcelona and personally.
And now the man who once thought he was leaving Barcelona has become one of the voices in the dressing room.
Flick has also publicly recognised Raphinha’s leadership. At the 2026 Gamper event, Barcelona described him as the team’s first captain at that stage of the season, alongside Pedri and Eric García.
From “I’m leaving” to captain.
From uncertainty to confidence.
From winger to No.9.
From potentially leaving Barça to becoming one of Flick’s most important players. 🔥
Sometimes, in football, one conversation really can change everything. 🥹🔵🔴
And Raphinha’s story with Hansi Flick might be one of the clearest examples yet. ❤️🔥
For Raphinha’s Barça turnaround
Explain why the No.9 role suits Raphinha
Compare Flick’s role with Raphinha’s own changes
