Raphinha accompanied Hansi Flick in the press conference prior to the Champions League match against Bayern Munich.
On the eve of playing his 100th game for Barcelona, he was asked about accomplishing that feat as well as his thoughts over the summer where it looked like he was on his way out and would be replaced by Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams. In particular, about Barcelona jerseys with Nico Williams on it, with the number 11, his number, on the back.
"I saw those with the shirt on Instagram," Raphinha said. "I thought it was a joke in bad taste and it was disrespectful. People need to respect the players that are here. We're giving our best and fighting for the club. To see a photo like that wasn't very nice for me, I took it as a lack of respect.
"Of course, people are free to do what they want, but I did feel a little hurt in that moment."
Que Raphinha hable de mi en Rueda de Prensa me parece “HISTORICO” yo ya me disculpe por la foto pero estoy feliz de saber que gracias a mi ahora es GARRINCHA PRIME 😎 pic.twitter.com/XB6gLKF3sy
— David (@Davisuuarez2) October 22, 2024
In the end, Nico Williams ended up staying with Athletic Bilbao and Raphinha with Barcelona.
Barcelona should count themselves lucky the transfer didn't go through as the Brazilian is off to a torrid start under Hansi Flick. In all competitions, Raphinha has six goals and six assits in 12 matches. He's finally showcasing some of what Barcelona saw during his time at Leeds United.
His name has been brought up as potentially leaving the club after his first season as many felt he wasn't producing given the amount Barcelona spent on him. When Ousmane Dembele was still at the club, the feeling was if it came down to him or Raphinha, it was the Brazilian who'd be the odd man out.
Dembele is no longer at Barcelona, having joined PSG last season, and Raphinha has found new life playing on the left of the attack. Forming a trio with Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, they've been one of the best attacking trios in Europe.
" part mental and part tactical, but also it's very important for me to have the confidence of the coach and my teammates. My mentality at the beginning of the season was different from other years -- I knew I had to adapt to a new position to play here," Raphinha said.
Not only has he been one of Barcelona's best players, but he's been a leader on and off the pitch. He's already donned the captain's armband on a couple of occasions and has seemingly taken a number of the young players under his wing.
Barcelona and Hansi Flick hope Raphinha will continue his run of form at least for the next two games as he's going to be crucial should the Catalan side want to beat both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Again, he's adapted to playing in a different position and flourished. He's admitted to knowing he had to given Lamine Yamal's rise or else he'd have found himself out of the club.
They say sometimes the best moves are the ones you don't make. So far this season, that's proven to be the case with Raphinha.