Raphinha, once seemingly on the verge of departing Barcelona, has undergone a remarkable transformation, extending his contract until 2030 and becoming a pivotal figure at the club. His resurgence, which has seen him installed as club captain and first-choice centre-forward, began with a single phone call from new manager Hansi Flick.
A Career Reborn at Camp Nou
The Brazilian winger had reportedly accepted that his time at Barcelona was coming to an end in 2024. Under former coach Xavi Hernández, Raphinha often found himself completing just seven full matches out of 60 appearances, leading to a feeling of being unwanted. Barcelona had even explored options to sell him, publicly pursuing Nico Williams as a potential replacement.
The Turning Point: Flick’s Crucial Call
While in Brazil, Raphinha received a call from Hansi Flick, who requested a meeting before any final decision on his future was made. According to Raphinha, Flick conveyed his trust in the player, emphasising his importance to the team and assuring him that the new style of play would suit his abilities. This conversation was instrumental in restoring Raphinha’s confidence.
Further reinforcing this shift, the Barcelona dressing room voted him in as a club captain, initially third in line, a moment Raphinha described as a significant mental turning point.
From Winger to Prolific Centre-Forward
Flick has since elevated Raphinha to first-choice captain and, crucially, his primary centre-forward. This tactical shift was partly necessitated by circumstances, following the departures of Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, and Marcus Rashford, who collectively contributed 38 league goals the previous season. When a move for Julián Álvarez did not materialise, Barcelona found themselves without a natural striker. Raphinha stepped into the role during a pre-season match against Basel and has since made the position his own.
His impact has been immediate and profound. In the current La Liga campaign, Raphinha has scored 12 goals in just seven games, adding two more in the Champions League. Barcelona have enjoyed a strong start, winning their opening eight league fixtures. Raphinha has found the net in all but one of these matches, and notably created the first two goals against Levante before allowing Lamine Yamal to take a penalty.
This impressive run follows a stellar 2024-25 title-winning season where he registered 34 goals and 26 assists in 57 appearances. Even last season, despite injury setbacks, he managed 21 goals and eight assists in 33 games. Raphinha’s journey from a player contemplating an exit to an indispensable leader and prolific goalscorer highlights a remarkable turnaround at the Catalan club.