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Raphinha: “I thought about leaving Barcelona at times”

Barcelona forward Raphinha said that he “thought about leaving” LaLiga side Barcelona after struggling with mental health issues.

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Raphinha “thought about leaving” Barcelona

Raphinha, 27, found his form this season as he recently scored a hat trick in Saturday’s 7-0 win against Real Valladolid.

The Brazil international has been linked with a transfer since suiting up for Catalan giants from Leeds United in 2022 for €55 million.

When asked if he considered leaving Barca, Raphinha said he “thought about leaving” after struggling to adapt with the club.

“Yes, in my first six months here,” Raphinha told RAC1. “They were complicated for me and my family. I improved after the [Qatar] World Cup and ended the season well, but the adaption was a struggle.”

“I thought about leaving at times, but those thoughts passed quickly. This is Barça. The club is huge; it’s normal that it’s hard.”

“If you work hard and want to have a football career, you can’t give up. I have had many reasons to give up, leave football and continue with my life. It’s a profession that destroys you.”

“There have been moments when I have got home and not known if I would get up the next morning to train again. I have cried, here [at Barça] as well.”

Constant transfer rumors annoyed Raphinha

Barcelona has shown interest in adding left-wingers Nico Williams and Federico Chiesa, a position currently occupied by Raphinha.

Despite finishing last season with 10 goals and 13 assists across all competitions, Raphinha has been the subject of transfer rumors linking him to English and Saudi Arabian clubs.

The former Rennes winger admitted that the constant transfer speculation has been frustrating for him.

“It’s annoying to see [the stories], even if it’s normal,” he said.

“Every day there is something, that I am going here or there. It ends up annoying you, of course, but my head has always been here. I have received a lot of offers but the best thing for me is to be at Barca.”

Raphinha seeks psychological help

Meanwhile, Raphinha encouraged his fellow footballers to seek psychological help, as it has helped him take better care of himself.

“I do psychological work because I have seen how important it is. Everyone should do it because it helps a lot.”

“If you don’t take care of yourself, football destroys you. It’s very easy to enter depression and give up on everything.”