This season, Raphinha at FC Barcelona is 27 goals and 20 assists in 42 games. Exceptional statistics for one of the Ballon d'Or 2025 favorites as Thierry Henry had indicated. However, the season could have been quite different for the Brazilian.
In an interview with Globo Eport, the player says that he could have left the Blaugrana last summer. The reason? A psychological illness due to his performances which did not meet his expectations last season: “I thought I would leave Barcelona after Copa America because I was not comfortable psychologically until Flick calls me (…) Every day, we hear news that I am going to join one team or another. Things did not happen as they should have, I had a seasonal season than expected and I saw people call for me to go and every day there was news from my departure. I seriously thought of leaving. »»
He then indicates that this call from the new FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick made him change his mind. The German coach had made the player his desire to see him stay in the Barcelona squad, telling him that he was counting on him: ” Flick called me and asked me to come to training before making a decision, because he wanted to talk to me and count on me. It was a turning point in my decision to stay. I spoke to my wife and I said to her: if this man is right and see the efforts I make in training, I will make him love me in a week and he will not regret it. And I think I was right. »»
Raphinha does not think of the Ballon d'Or
Raphinha did well to listen to Hansi Flick! This season, the former Rennais lives a real Renaissance at FC Barcelona. His performances allow him to be among the players who can naturally claim the Ballon d'Or. Asked about the subject, the Brazilian nevertheless indicates that this distinction is not part of his objectives: “Honestly, the Ballon d'Or is not a personal objective. My objectives are to score goals, make assists and earn titles with Barcelona and the national team. When things go well within the club and the country, individuals naturally shine. Being nominated for the Ballon d'Or is a victory in itself, after all that I went through in my career. The simple fact of being there is a victory “.
