“No matter where Raphinha plays; for me, it’s more about what he shows on the field,” explained Hansi Flick after the victory against Athletic Club. The sporting management and the coach agreed that, beyond the number nine, the urgency was to strengthen the wingers in the transfer market, as last season the team lost a lot of quality when Lamine Yamal or Raphinha himself were absent.
Read more Streaming | Live from the Royal Palace of Norway, where the farewell to Harald V is being prepared
Flick wants intensity, mobility, the ability to initiate pressing, and also leadership from his forwards. That’s why he asked Deco for the signings of two versatile players: Gordon, who can also play at the tip of the attack, and Adeyemi, suitable for both wings. Then, he crowned Raphinha as captain… and as his first number nine in the absence of Julián. The coach has already decided that he trusts what he has. And that, if the desired number nine does not arrive, the best is to save and wait for a new opportunity, thinking of a piece for both the present and the future as Julián was (and is). “Atlético has now accepted that they are going to sell him. But not to us,” they say from the training ground.
“Atlético has now accepted that they are going to sell him. But not to us,” they say from the training ground
Raphinha is motivated by the change. He likes the responsibility and understands that he can have a decisive role in this new version of Barça. Flick has conveyed to him that, in his new role, it’s not just about occupying the area. The Brazilian is the first who must activate the press, organize the team when pressing the opponent’s build-up, and set the defensive rhythm. Flick wants a number nine who is the first defender and Raphinha offers that. But he is not the only one. They also see that Dani Olmo, Fermín, and the mentioned Gordon, as well as the young Hamza Abdelkarim, with whom they are negotiating an increase in his release clause, can fulfill that profile.
Flick wants a number nine who is the first defender and Raphinha offers that. But he is not the only one. They also see that Dani Olmo, Fermín, and the mentioned Gordon can fulfill that profile
The Brazilian is also regaining a prominence that injuries had taken from him. Last season was tough for him. He missed six matches: five in the League and one in the Champions League. Among them, the first Clásico in October at the Bernabéu. That was the first of three muscle injuries he suffered during the season. When he was in the final stage of his recovery, he suffered a relapse when the injury in the biceps femoris reopened. The situation caused concern in the club’s physical preparation area and led to internal discussions that also resulted in changes in the department, with the arrival of Benjamin Kugel and the transfer of Julio Tous to another newly created area: the Performance and Sports Optimization area, a department that will serve all professional sections except the men’s first football team.
His last injury came in March, during a friendly with Brazil. He injured his right thigh and, since then, he has not been able to accompany the team during one of the most demanding moments of the season. A setback that caused more than one headache for Hansi Flick, who was left without his starting left winger and one of the most essential pieces of his scheme.
At the offices, they were already increasing the importance of the Brazilian and understood his situation. They say that, because of his style of play, he tends to expose himself too much. Flick reflected along the same lines: “His attitude is always the same, giving everything. This season he has suffered, but for us it is important that he is back,” he stated before the match against Osasuna, for which Raphinha received medical clearance.
Read more The simultaneous congestion in several maritime channels is choking the global economy
Despite everything, Raphinha finished the season with 21 goals in 33 matches across all competitions. A figure lower than the 34 he scored the previous season, the best of his time as a Blaugrana, but enough to show that he remains one of the most decisive players in the squad.
At Barcelona, they also never considered his departure: “Raphinha is not for sale”
At Barcelona, they also never considered his departure. The directive in the offices has been unequivocal throughout the summer, despite the rumors: “Raphinha is not for sale.” The Brazilian renewed in 2025 until 2028 and, although the club knows it will continue to receive offers, especially from Arabia, absolutely no one wants to open that door.
Now he can change his position without changing his importance. Flick sees in him one of the leaders he needs to keep growing Barça, especially in Europe. His influence over the youngsters is impeccable and his commitment to the club, absolute. “As captain, I think he has shown total commitment to his team and his club,” highlighted Flick.
The Brazilian is motivated by the new challenge and ready to take it on. Barça has not found the number nine it was looking for, but Flick will not give up on his idea of play. If the forward must be the first to press, the first to activate the team, and one of the locker room leaders, Raphinha fits.
And, moreover, he has goals. With both feet and with his head. From the current squad, he is the all-time top scorer with 78 goals for Barcelona. Three of them in the last two matches.
Read more High prices, more than Trump, fuel Iceland’s interest in the EU
