Barcelona’s Raphinha reveals anger at ex-boss Xavi
Barcelona’s Raphinha revealed his anger at ex-coach Xavi Hernandez for never showing real confidence in him.
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Raphinha had anger towards Xavi
Raphinha, 28, joined Barca from Leeds United in 2022.
However, he saw limited minutes under Xavi despite helping the Catalan club win LaLiga title in 2023.
Xavi often withdrew the Brazilian early in games or left him on the bench due to competition for a starting spot on the wing from Ousmane Dembele, Lamine Yamal, and Ferran Torres at various times.
“I felt like the coaching staff didn’t have any confidence in me,” Raphinha said in an interview with Isabela Pagliari’s YouTube channel.”
“When there was no other [player], I was there and I played 90 minutes. I gave everything I could give and had an impact on games, but when there was another [player] who could play in my place, they picked them without even thinking about it.”
“Sometimes, I was doing everything for 60 minutes and they would take me off. There’s a famous video in which I explode when I reach the bench and punch it.”
He recalled: “I think it was the game against Manchester United [in the Europa League in 2023]. I had done really well — I had scored and set up a goal, and I think it was 2-2 and they took me off.
“I had just created a really good chance, I felt good and was playing well. And I was the first player taken off. I could not believe it.”
The Brazil international said he spoke with Xavi, but there was no changing his mind.
“I tried to fix the situation,” he added. “I had several conversations with [Xavi], but I saw that it was making no difference. He had his way of thinking.”
Flourishing under Flick
Over two seasons under Xavi, Raphinha made 87 appearances, with 27 coming off the bench.
Now thriving under Hansi Flick, he’s enjoying a dream campaign—scoring 31 goals in 52 appearances, starting 48 times and playing the full 90 minutes on 33 occasions.
Raphinha is also mentioned as a possible Ballon d’Or winner.
“He is someone who looks out for all the players, those that are playing and those that are not playing,” Raphinha said of the approach utilised by Flick,” he said.”
“I really noticed that when Vitor Roque left. I was really moved by how he dealt with that. He was more concerned than Vitor about what was happening. He went to speak with the club to find out all about the situation and he spoke with [Roque].”
