Barcelona in-form superstar feels ‘happy and privileged’ to be one of the club captains | OneFootball

Raphinha has enjoyed a superb turnaround this season. From being a second-choice player for Xavi Hernandez, the Brazilian has become an attacking lynchpin for Barcelona, under the leadership of Hansi Flick.

Flick’s trust in Raphinha has been repaid well by the player, who has been involved in 31 goals in just 29 competitive matches this season.

In light of his brilliant performances, Raphinha, in a recent interview, has opened up about his early career challenges as well as his mental health.

Raphinha on challenges at Barcelona

Raphinha talked about his turnaround at Barça, especially now that he is one of the leaders in the team.

“I have always been a fighting person, I have always sought to give my best in the field,” the attacker said (h/t SPORT).

“The truth is that I feel very happy and privileged to be able to say that I am one of the captains of Barça. In fact, if you had asked me last season if it was something I expected, I would have told you no.

“At that time, at the individual level, I did not feel safe, I was not consistent in my games,” he added.

Raphinha also opened up about the fact that his struggles at Barcelona forced him to seek health, as he was facing challenges with regard to his mental well-being.

Raphinha has had an immense turnaround this season (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“Because of the difficulties I went through, I ended up looking for a professional who could help me understand what I was feeling. This season confidence has changed, and the way of thinking has changed. I live the best moment of my career,” he revealed.

This is not the first Raphinha talked about his challenges concerning mental health, as the forward has been very open about it in the past as well.

Raphinha on early career challenges

The former Leeds United forward went on to reveal some of the early career challenges he faced, due to his lack of physique.

“I was very small and very thin. They said I had no strength, that I didn’t have the size to compete and I think that gave me strength to fight and show that I’m not with size or strength as you compete,” he said.

Talking about how his fellow Brazilian stars of the past motivated him, Neymar added, “I remember seeing the great Brazilian idols. Seeing what they did in the field was spectacular.“

“I think that was also a motivation to follow my dream of being a professional soccer player,” he concluded.