Barcelona forward Raphinha He revealed his anger for the lack of football he played under Xavi Hernández, saying that he believes that his former coach has never shown any true trust in him.
Raphinha, 28, emerged as a Ballon d’or contender this year, but often played a little separately with Xavi after joining the Barça of Leeds United in 2022, despite having helped the Catalan club to win the title of Laliga in 2023.
He was often withdrawn at the beginning of the games or even left on the bench due to the competition for an initial mooring on the wing, at different times, Ousmane dembélé, Lamine Yamal AND Ferran Torres.
“I felt like the technical staff had no confidence in me,” said Raphinha in an interview The YouTube channel of Isabela Pagliari.
“When there was nothing else [player]I was there and I played 90 minutes. I gave everything I could give and I had an impact on games, but when there was another one [player] Who could play in my place have chosen them without even thinking about it.
“Sometimes, I was doing everything for 60 minutes and they took me away. There is a famous video in which I explode when I reach the bench and punch.
“I think it was the match against Manchester United [in the Europa League in 2023]. I had done really well. I had marked and created a goal. I think it was 2-2 and they took me away.
“I had just created good possibilities. I felt well and I was playing well. And I was the first packed player. I couldn’t believe it.”
During two seasons under Xavi, Raphinha made 87 appearances, although 27 of his releases were replaced and completed 90 minutes in just eight occasions.
THE Brazil International he says he talked to Xavi, who was in a sabbatical year since he left Barça last year, but it was not possible to change his mind.
“I tried to fix the situation,” he added. “I had several conversations with [Xavi]But I saw that he was not making any difference. He had his way of thinking “.
Raphinha subsequently showed what he has been capable of since Xavi started, with his performances this season that held Barça in hunting for a triple that enters the final stretch of the season, while he was mentioned as a possible winner of the ball.
After scoring 20 goals in his first two years with the club, he already recorded 31 this season under the new coach film Hansi, playing in a slightly different location out of the left wing.
These objectives have arrived from 52 appearances, 48 of them as an appetizer, while completed 90 minutes on 33 occasions even before Tuesday Champions League semifinal Second leg against Interr Milan In San Siro.
“It’s someone who is looking for all players, those who are playing and those who don’t play,” said Raphinha of the approach used by a film.
“I really noticed that when Vitor Roque left. I was really moved by how he was dealing with this. He was more worried about Vitor for what was happening. He spoke with the club to find out everything about the situation and spoke [Roque]. “