Brazilian star Rafinha revealed in an interview with RAC1 that he encountered difficulties adapting to Barcelona, even considering leaving the team at one point.
During Xavi’s tenure as coach, although Rafinha did not secure a definite starting position, he remained an important member of the team. Initially, the right flank was occupied by Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal, while on the left, Rafinha had to compete with João Félix and Ferran Torres. However, through his excellent performances, Rafinha eventually surpassed these competitors. Under Flick’s leadership now, Rafinha initially played behind Lewandowski, but with the arrival of Olmo, he was shifted to the left wing position, still maintaining his place in the starting lineup.
Rafinha disclosed that he once contemplated leaving due to difficulty adjusting to the new environment: “Did I think about leaving? Yes. The first six months were very tough for me and caused my family considerable distress. However, after the World Cup, my form improved, and I successfully concluded that season. Although the start was challenging, I quickly adjusted and decided to stay at Barcelona.”
Every transfer window, Rafinha’s name is mentioned as a potential departure to help the club raise funds, which has been frustrating for him: “Seeing news about my possible departure is indeed unpleasant. Whenever I receive offers, I always contemplate them, but ultimately I believe staying at Barcelona is the best choice.”
Despite various challenges, Rafinha found a sense of belonging under Flick at Barcelona and was appointed as one of the team captains, further solidifying his status within the squad. “Hearing rumors of my departure and the club no longer needing me, along with negative media coverage, I never imagined I would become a captain at Barcelona. This is deeply moving and shows the trust my teammates have in me.”
Talking about the goals for this season, Rafinha is ambitious: “Our minimum goal is to win the Champions League. At Barcelona, we must strive to win every title. It would be wrong to be at such a club without such ambitions.” He also mentioned that under Flick, the team places more emphasis on physical training: “Everyone has their own way of working. Xavi emphasized ball control, whereas Flick believes physical fitness is more beneficial to us.”
Rafinha also shared the toughest moments of his career: “I considered quitting football; this sport can sometimes be crushing. There were times when I went home unsure if I’d have the motivation to train the next day. I received psychological counseling, which was crucial for getting through those lows.”