Raphinha makes Barcelona exit admission amid Man Utd links

Raphinha has admitted that he seriously considered leaving Barcelona last summer.

The Brazil international has undergone a spectacular transformation under Blaugrana boss Hansi Flick. Last year, Raphinha was the subject of rampant transfer speculation as he failed to live up to expectations.

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The rumours still continue to proliferate now but for very different reasons. Raphinha is enjoying a spectacular campaign and is likely to be one of the favourites for this year’s Ballon d’Or if he keeps up his form.

The 28-year-old has scored an eye-watering 27 goals in 42 appearances while also setting up his teammates 20 times. Unsurprisingly, he has become a protagonist for club and country.

Raphinha is currently on international duty with Brazil and has talked about his troubles at Barcelona before the arrival of Flick in a lengthy interview.

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Raphina makes Barcelona exit admission

Speaking to Globo, Raphinha admitted that media pressure got to him after the previous season and that he seriously considered leaving Barcelona.

“My post-Copa America period was very turbulent,” Raphina began. “Every day there was news that I was going one way or the other, and I was also considering leaving Barcelona because it was something I didn’t feel comfortable with personally.

“Things weren’t working out. I had a season that wasn’t up to par and I saw people asking me to leave, that I wasn’t good enough for the club, and every day there was news that I was leaving. I ended up considering it.

“After the Copa America, Hansi called me and told me to show up for training before making any decisions, that he wanted to talk and was counting on me. That was an important factor in the decision to stay.

“When I talked to my wife, I told her that if he was a fair guy and saw the players’ performance in training, I would give him a week to like me as a player and that he wouldn’t regret it. I think it worked.”

Raphinha was recently linked with a surprising move to Man Utd, but transfer insider Fabrizio Romano insists that there are ‘zero indications’ that a transfer could materialise. The player himself has made it clear that he wants to remain at Barcelona long-term.