Sport

Raphinha a key figure in getting Barcelona back on track

Are Barcelona back? Such a question will be asked a lot this season as Hansi Flick continues to impress in his debut season as Blaugrana coach. There are deep, existential issues at the club which are not likely to disappear anytime soon, keeping a cap on the excitement level surrounding the club and what they can go on to achieve. But there is more optimism around the club now than there has been in years.

Everybody knows about La Masía; the club’s youth academy which continues to produce world class talent on an annual basis. The likes of Gavi, Pau Cubarsi and in particular Lamine Yamal are breeding hope of a way out of a nightmare last few years. Financial oblivion still seems a viable destination, but Joan Laporta, the club’s president who oversaw the beginning of its most successful era in his first term between 2003-2010, has managed to keep things afloat and return them to their core principles.

The 4-0 win at Real Madrid in October’s Clásico was a huge moment. But it exposed as many issues for Los Blancos as it did show Barcelona were once again an elite force.

Complimenting the academy production line has been shrewd transfer business. Pedri joined from Las Palmas in 2020, and at 21 years old, looks like he could run their midfield for the next decade and beyond. Jules Kounde has morphed into one of the world’s finest fullbacks this season having initially played there because he couldn’t find a spot in his preferred spot of centre back. Robert Lewandowski, despite being 36 years of age, is proving himself to be one of the best strikers in the world still, perhaps given a new lease of life after reuniting with Flick, with whom he won the treble at Bayern Munich.

But it is a player who perhaps wasn’t seen to have a great future with Barça who has really helped them reach new heights this season. Raphinha had been rather hit and miss since joining from Leeds in 2022, and he was a player who could be sold to recoup valuable funds in the summer. The Brazilian’s reputation from his days at Elland Road and prior to that with Rennes and Sporting meant that there would be no shortage of takers.

A number of Premier League clubs, including Tottenham and Arsenal, were credited with an interest, while some saw him as a prime candidate for a big money move to Saudi Arabia. Plenty of players had floundered at Barcelona after failing to really establish themselves and it certainly felt as though Raphinha’s career was the latest in that particular narrative.

Perhaps, though, it says a lot about his character that he used that speculation and the feeling of being doubted as fuel going into the new season. It has really paid off, with 20 goal contributions already this season.

Raphinha’s mind focused when Flick arrived, offering him a chance to kickstart his Barça career.

“When rumours surface that Barcelona want to sell you, fans remind you of everything negative,” he said earlier this season. “It’s hard not to think about leaving to avoid being a burden. I won’t stay where I’m not wanted.”

“I knew that after a week of working with new coach, he would fall in love with me,” he stated. “It has always happened to me, even with the national team; with hard work, I always end up playing.”

He’s certainly got himself back on track. Barcelona are a real threat this season; Yamal has taken a lot of the plaudits for understandable reasons, but Raphinha has arguably eclipsed him this season.