One of the players who made a most notable turnaround in performance and attitude after Hansi Flick's arrival at FC Barcelona was undoubtedly Raphinha. The Brazilian finished 2023/24 on Xavi Hernández's list of possible discards, but after the German coach arrived on the bench, he became one of the team's references from the summer.
The '11' got used to playing on the left and as an attacking midfielder, making the most of his striking ability and speed to form a lethal trident alongside Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski. Not surprisingly, between the three of them, they scored 94 of Barça's 173 goals (54.33%) the previous year.
Of these, Rafa participated in 57, resulting in 34 goals and 23 assists. No player in the top five leagues had a better offensive output in 24/25 (only Mohamed Salah achieved identical figures). In addition, the Porto Alegre native was the team's joint top assist provider along with Lamine.
Will he be able to surpass his best season? Raphinha wants to be in top form for the World Cup
In that sense, the Brazilian returns to training with Barça with two challenges in mind. On the one hand, to improve his records from the previous year and help the Azulgrana team to repeat their extraordinary year at the local level, sweeping the domestic treble, as well as going for the Champions League.
Flick's team was three minutes away from reaching the final and Raphinha, who was the tournament's top scorer with 13 goals, hopes to emulate Neymar and Ronaldinho by lifting the 'Orejona'. Similarly, the '11' will seek to surpass the scoring record set by Ney in 14/15, with 39 goals. No other Brazilian has scored more goals in a season with the Culé shirt.
25/26 will also be very special for the 28-year-old winger, as it precedes what will be his second World Cup with Brazil. The Azulgrana player did not have a great performance at Qatar 2022 and hopes to arrive in top form for the event in the United States, Mexico and Canada, for which he prioritizes maintaining a 'top' level with his club.
On the other hand, Ter Stegen's imminent departure will leave the Azulgrana captaincy vacant. Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo, due to seniority, will be the first candidates to wear the armband, but Raphinha is also ready to assume a leadership that he earned in 24/25. In fact, it would not be surprising if Flick himself designates him as the first captain.
Raphinha is not afraid of extra competition in 25/26
As things stand, the Brazilian international seems ready to face his fourth season in Barcelona, reinforced physically and mentally despite the challenge of surpassing his great previous year. The other challenge for the winger will be to have more competition for a place in attack, but the player himself ruled out any fears related to this.
Before Nico Williams' signing was ruled out, Rafa had opened the door to the Basque striker, with a message aimed at any other reinforcement that may arrive at Can Barça this summer.
"Any player who comes to add to the club is welcome. I think anyone who comes with the mentality of arriving, working and striving for the good of the team is very welcome," said Rafa in statements collected by 'Mundo Deportivo' after a publicity event in his country.
The '11' knows well how Hansi Flick works and what he must do to maintain his prominence. Likewise, he has the club's support to continue shining at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou. His renewal should not take long, although his contract ends in 2027 and several big clubs in Europe have him in their sights.
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