Barcelona superstar blasts Xavi: 'Nothing worked out'

Tom Weber

Updated: 3 Nov 2024 08:13 CST
3 min read

Barcelona star Raphinha has explained the differences between Xavi and Hansi Flick.

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The Brazil international has been given a new lease on life by Flick. Raphinha has arguably been Barcelona's best player this season, contributing with a whopping 10 goals and nine assists in just 14 appearances across all competitions.

The 27-year-old, who has also captained the side at times, has been nothing short of sensational under the German head coach. Indeed, Raphinha's current form is a far cry from what he showed under his previous boss Xavi.

The winger was seemingly always a candidate to be sold during the club legend's time in the dugout due to his underwhelming performances, but this is no longer the case.

Raphinha is one of the first names on the teamsheet under Flick and he has now explained why he is thriving more than before.

Raphinha critical of Xavi

Speaking to El Pais, Raphinha insisted that he did not want to be overly critical of Xavi but couldn't help but admit that the Spaniard instilled a negative mindset in him, which contributed to poor performances and even doubts over whether he was good enough for Barcelona.

"Confidence is not only important in football, it is also important in life," Raphinha said. "If you don't have the confidence to do your best at work, it is difficult for things to work out. And when you don't have it, you often forget what you can do.

"It's not a criticism of Xavi," the Brazilian began when asked about constantly getting substituted by the coach. "Subconsciously, I already knew that I was going to have to come off. I tried to do everything in 60 minutes and nothing worked out. And other times, when things did work out for me, I was taken off anyway.

"At times, yes [I felt left out]. Especially during the first six months, before the World Cup. But I also felt it during the other windows. People were always saying one thing or another, that I was no good, that I should be sold. At times, I believed it."

However, under Flick there are "different people, who have a different way of doing their job and dealing with the players. It also helps to change the mentality after not winning anything."