Champion of Spain, winner of the Spanish Cup, the Spanish Super Cup, La Liga player of the season, fifth in the 2025 Ballon d'Or, all with 34 goals and 26 assists in 57 matches… Raphinha's 2024-2025 season with FC Barcelona is one to write in the history books. Moreover, the latter is not about to stop. Last May, the Brazilian extended his contract with the Blaugrana until 2028.
However, this year at the top with the Catalan club could well have been the last. Arriving in Catalonia from Leeds United for 58 million euros in the summer of 2022, the Auriverde winger was close to not starting his fourth season with Barça. The fault is a huge offer from Saudi Arabia.
“I have been playing football since I was 15. I had good times and bad times everywhere, and then a time came when I thought it was time to take care of myself and my family. The offer we received from Saudi Arabia really upset me, it was going to solve my personal life, that of my parents, my son and a lot of people”confided the former Rennais during an interview withESPN Brasil.
“A lot of people wanted me to leave”
A proposal, difficult to refuse on an economic level, which had enough to make Raphinha doubt in her thinking. “
Obviously we thought about leaving, I thought maybe it was a good time. » This is where Hansi Flick comes in. The German tactician knew how to find the right words with his star striker. “ NWe spoke with the coach, first on the phone, then at the start of preseason, and he managed to convince me to stay. And I'm glad he convinced me. »
If this episode is behind him, the Brazilian nevertheless retains a certain bitterness towards the behavior of several people within FC Barcelona. “A lot of people wanted me to leave. I can't name them one by one. Suddenly I wasn't doing what they thought I should do, what they thought I should do. I have always had a clear conscience about what I have been able to accomplish. » But then why want the departure of an executive from the club? “They wanted maybe 30 goals per season, which is not really my goal. I'm not a center forward. I am a player who contributes a lot through dedication, hard work and commitment. That's Raphinha. I will always give the best of myself. » To the wise.
