In a 52 -minute interview with Brazilian journalist Isabela Pagliari on YouTube, Raphinha emptied her bag and did not spare Xavi. The Brazilian winger was particularly critical of his former barça coach, with whom he said he had lived two very complicated seasons.
“I felt that Xavi and his technical staff did not trust me,” he said from the start. And to add: “Sometimes I gave everything in 60 minutes, but he replaced me. I tried to settle the situation, I talked a lot with him, but nothing has changed. He had his own way of thinking. »»
The player says he has often been relegated to the bench as soon as another player was available at his post. “When there was no one else, I was there and I was playing 90 minutes. And I gave everything, I won matches. But as soon as another could play in my place, he put it without hesitation. »»
One of the most revealing episodes of this tension occurred in front of Manchester United. “There is an iconic video where I explode when I arrive on the bench and I hit the seat. I think it was against Manchester United. I had played well, I scored a goal, given a decisive pass. I had just created a big opportunity and he took me out. I felt good, I played very well. And I was the first change. When I saw this, I didn’t believe it. »»
A radical change with Flick
Raphinha also claims to have tried everything to arrange things. “I had several conversations with him, but I saw that it didn’t change anything. To the limit, he had even considered a departure. “I was talking seriously with my wife and I said to her:” I think it would be good for us. I have already realized my dream and I have my head to endure certain things. ” »»
Saudi Arabia was a concrete track. Raphinha even contacted Neymar to find out. But his wife Natalia brought him back to reason: “She said to me:” You really think that there, with all the money they promised you, will you still have the motivation to train and win titles? ” She told me that I had lost the spark in the eyes. “You know what you want, and it’s not going there.” »»
The turning point? A Hansi Flick call during the holidays. “I told him to my wife,” If the new coach is right, I conquer him in a week. ” And the reality is that it was enough for me to make that Flick attach to me. He is a person who cares about all the players, those who play and those who do not play, ”he concludes. The Xavi nightmare seems to be finished.
To summarize
In an interview, Raphinha settles his accounts with Xavi, saying that the former Barça coach did not trust him. Frustrated, he considered a departure. It was his wife and Hansi Flick’s call who convinced him to stay. “With Flick, everything has changed,” he says.
