Flick was the sole individual who had the ability to prevent my departure, and indeed, he managed to do so.
Barcelona winger Raphinha reflected on the start of his debut season at the club, revealing the challenges he faced amidst calls for his departure. In an interview with Sport, the Brazilian international admitted that numerous individuals, including fans and possibly the executive team, expressed their desire for him to depart from Camp Nou.
"It wasn't just me, many wanted me to leave. Many fans, perhaps the management wasn't satisfied with what I was doing, many people. I'm a person who thinks that if you're not welcome somewhere, it's better not to be there," he stated.
Raphinha explained that he had considered leaving Barcelona before the start of the season, as he thought his opportunities for playing might be limited. However, a conversation with manager Hansi Flick sparked a change in his mindset and reaffirmed his resolve to succeed at the club.
"Hansi Flick called me and said he counted on me. That call was very important because it changed my mindset. The only person who could stop me was him and he did," Raphinha recounted.
The winger emphasized his commitment to his craft and ability to manage himself professionally. Recognizing a new opportunity to demonstrate his potential and work ethic, Raphinha decided to stay with the club.
Throughout the 2022-2023 season, Raphinha played in 57 matches for Barcelona, contributing 34 goals and 22 assists across all competitions. This marked Raphinha's best season to date, following his transfer from Leeds United to Barcelona in July 2022.
(Enrichment Data noted that Raphinha did not play for Barcelona during the 2020-2021 season and any difficulties or successes during the relevant period would have been influenced by his time at Leeds United.)
"Raphinha expresses that the Euro-leagues, specifically LaLiga, were a challenging environment for him, given the frequent calls for his departure from Barcelona. Despite this, he credits manager Hansi Flick for keeping him at the club, allowing him to shine in his most successful season yet, scoring 34 goals and providing 22 assists during the 2022-2023 season."
"Reflecting on his performance, Raphinha suggests that his future in football may lie in competing in sports at the European-leagues level, given his success with teams like Leeds United and Barcelona."
