JAKARTA - Barcelona striker Raphinha has expressed his anger at the lack of playing hours under Xavi Hernandez's tutelage. He felt his former coach had never shown real trust in him.
The 28-year-old forward emerged as a candidate for this year's Ballon d'Or, but he has often played a minor role under Xavi after joining Barcelona from Leeds United in 2022.
In fact, the Brazilian helped the Catalan club win the La Liga title in 2023.
He was often pulled out early in the game or even backed up due to competition for a starting place on the wing of, which at that time was inhabited by Ousmane Dembele, Lamine Yamal, and Ferran Torres.
"I feel the coaching staff don't have faith in me. When there were no other (players), I was there and played for 90 minutes."
"I gave everything I could and had an impact on the game, but when there were other (players) who could play in my place, they chose it without thinking."
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"Sometimes, I did everything for 60 minutes and they were going to pull me out. There was a famous video showing me exploding on the bench and punch him in."
"I think it was a match against Manchester United (in the Europa League in 2023). I played very well."
"I scored and made an assist. I thought the score was 2-2 and they pulled me out."
"I just created a very good opportunity. I feel good and play well."
"I was the first player to be pulled out. I couldn't believe it," Raphinha said in an interview with YouTube channel kavia Pagliari.
During the two seasons under Xavi, Raphinha appeared 87 times despite 27 appearances as a substitute. He only played 90 minutes on eight occasions.
The Brazilian said he had spoken to Xavi, who was on long leave since leaving Barcelona last year, but nothing changed his mind.
"I'm trying to improve the situation. I've spoken to (Xavi) several times, but I see that it doesn't make a difference. It has its own way of thinking," he said.
Raphinha then demonstrated his abilities since Xavi left, with his performances this season keeping Barcelona from chasing trebles until the end of the season.
Meanwhile, he is also touted as a candidate to win the Ballon d'Or.
After scoring 20 goals in his first two years with the Blaugrana, he has scored 31 goals this season under new coach Hansi Flick, playing in a slightly different position, namely in the left flank.
The goals were created from 52 appearances, 48 of whom as starters. He also played full for 90 minutes on 33 occasions ahead of the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan at Giuseppe Meazza.
"He is someone who pays attention to all the players, those who play, and those who don't play," Raphinha said of the approach Flick used.
"I really paid attention to that when Vitor Roque left. I was really touched by the way he handled it."
"He cares more than Vitor about what happened. He goes to talk to the club to find out all about the situation and he talks to (Roque)," he said again.
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