Barcelona star Raphinha admits he considered leaving club – 'Man, there were a lot of moments'
Barcelona winger Raphinha admitted he had doubts about continuing at the club, after a difficult first two seasons in Catalunya. The Brazilian has stepped up, and has been in inspired form so far this season, winning over the fans in the process.
So far he has contributed 16 goals in 13 games, including two hat-tricks, and has taken on his new leadership role as one of the vice-captains. He previously talked about football “destroying” players mentally, and it seems Raphinha has passed that.
“Man, there were many moments, not just one (when I thought about leaving Barca),” he explained to ESPN. “My first six months here, the period from the summer transfer window until the World Cup, was a season in which I didn't have the best of starts, so I was thinking about leaving the club.
“There was a lot of self-doubt. I have a bad habit of criticizing a lot, so to speak, so that the pressure made me think about leaving. Then, obviously, after the World Cup I had a huge breakthrough, I managed to put up big numbers in six months.”
Pablo Gavi: “Recovery from my injury? I learned a lot because I value things much more now. It is a learning that I take for life. This injury is one of the hardest that you can suffer, and I came out of this injury. as a better person and teammate.” @DAZN_ES pic.twitter.com/Zz7dbCTU9z
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Raphinha has been constantly linked with a move away over the last year, with much talk of his exit being used to finance a move for Nico Williams. He recently commented on a video of a shirt with Williams wearing his number, which did not take well.
“Last season, after the injuries I had, the sending off (against Getafe), and also at the end of the season, seeing a lot of things that the club wanted to sell me, that the fans wanted me to 'or leave, even ends up going through the mind to leave, to go to a place where there is no pressure.
However Raphinha moved away from this idea, and pushed through the pressure, and this season came out the other side.
“Football has to have some pressure. I've always dreamed of playing for big clubs, of playing big games for the national team, and you can't achieve those dreams without pressure, the pressure comes with it.
“So, thank God, I didn't let myself get caught up by those thoughts that naturally end up going through your head. I'm just focused on working hard and adapting to the new roles that I would have to play on the field” .
Perhaps the best example in the Barcelona team, almost the entire team is an example of how much of a part of confidence and mentality they play for footballers. The Blaugrana now see a completely different outfit under Hansi Flick. Now, we are talking Raphinha potentially gets a new deal from Barcelona.
