€80m Barcelona player now opens up on how he beat his confidence struggles | OneFootball

Since the arrival of Hansi Flick as the head coach of FC Barcelona, the team has been playing at an exceptional level. They have been dominating games, scoring goals in abundance, and showing remarkable improvement. Several players have also experienced significant individual growth in form and consistency compared to previous seasons.

One such player who has undergone a dramatic transformation is Brazilian winger Raphinha. After being linked with a move away from the Catalan giants and losing his starting spot on his preferred right wing to Lamine Yamal last season, Raphinha has completely turned around his situation this season.

He has become one of the team’s most consistent performers. Remarkably, midway through the 2024/25 season, Raphinha has already scored 20 goals. This tally equals the total number of goals he scored across the last two seasons combined.

The winger is currently enjoying the best season of his career, with his statistics establishing him as one of the top South American players across the globe.

Compared to his struggles in the past two seasons at Barcelona, this turnaround is nothing short of phenomenal. His exceptional performances have even sparked Ballon d’Or discussions, which no one could have imagined at the start of the season.

In an interview with UEFA, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, Raphinha discussed the personal struggles he faced last season and the steps he took to overcome them. The €80m-rated Brazilian winger has now opened up about his transformation into one of Barça’s most reliable players.

“To be honest, I feel very happy and privileged to say that I am one of Barça’s captains. If you had asked me last season whether I expected this, I would have said no. At that time, on an individual level, I didn’t feel confident, and I wasn’t consistent in my performances.”

The 28-year-old Brazilian winger credits his fighting spirit and professional support for helping him navigate those difficult times. “I’ve always been a fighter, always striving to give my best on the field,” he said.

“But after going through those difficulties, I ended up seeking a professional who could help me understand what I was feeling. This season, my confidence has changed, and my mindset has changed. I’m living the best moment of my career.”

Raphinha also reflected on the adversity he faced during his childhood, when his physicality was often doubted. “I was very small and very skinny. It’s not like I’m strong now, but I was very skinny. They said I didn’t have the strength or the size to compete, and I think that gave me the drive to fight and prove that it’s not size or strength that allows you to compete or play football.”

The Brazilian winger went on to share how his idols inspired him to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer. “I remember watching great Brazilian idols. Seeing what they did on the field was spectacular. It motivated me to pursue my dream.”

Raphinha’s resurgence this season has been a significant boost for FC Barcelona, with his leadership and performances on the pitch making him an indispensable part of Hansi Flick’s squad.

As Barcelona prepares for their crucial fixture against Benfica, the Brazilian winger will once again have the chance to showcase the fighting spirit and skill that have defined his success so far this season, aiming to help the Catalans secure direct qualification for the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League.