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Raphinha delivered a scathing review of Xavi Hernandez’s man-management skills during his time as Barcelona manager while lauding the human qualities of his current boss Hansi Flick.
The Brazilian forward has enjoyed a dramatic uptick in output since Flick took over from Xavi over the summer. It took a phone call from the incoming German boss to stop Raphinha from accepting what he described as a “life-changing” financial offer from Saudi Arabia, after two years under Xavi had driven him to the brink of leaving Barcelona.
“I felt like [Xavi’s] coaching staff didn’t have any confidence in me,” Raphinha told Isabel Pagliari this week. “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. 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. 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.”
|
Stat |
Hansi Flick |
Xavi Hernandez |
|---|---|---|
|
Games |
52 |
87 |
|
Goals |
31 |
20 |
|
Assists |
25 |
25 |
|
Minutes per goal |
135.8 |
245 |
Stats via Transfermarkt.
“I tried to fix the situation,” Raphinha continued. “I had several conversations with [Xavi], but I saw that it was making no difference. He had his way of thinking.”
Flick, by contrast, has rarely overlooked his all-action forward. Raphinha has appeared in 52 of Barcelona’s 55 games this season, directly contributing to a staggering glut of 56 goals. “He is someone who looks out for all the players, those that are playing and those that are not playing,” Raphinha gushed.
“I really noticed that when Vitor Roque left,” the left winger added. “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].”
