Brazilian winger says a lot of people wanted him out of the club, and an offer from the Saudi Pro League was tempting
Raphinha has revealed he came close to leaving Barcelona in the summer of 2024, following a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia that would have changed his life, before new head coach Hansi Flick convinced him to stay.
The Brazilian winger endured a difficult first two years in Catalonia following his £55m move from Leeds United in 2022, scoring only 10 goals in all competitions in each season.
In the midst of financial strain and disappointment over his end product, Barcelona were open to selling him, with rumours widespread that Athletic Club’s Nico Williams would be brought in with the money recouped from his sale.
The then manager Xavi was not a big fan of Raphinha, and culers on social media even posted edits of Williams in the Brazilian’s No 11 shirt. Raphinha said he himself was ready to go after reaching his breaking point, especially when a lucrative offer came from the east.
“A lot of people [wanted me out],” Raphinha told ESPN. “I can’t name them all. Suddenly, I wasn’t doing what they thought I should do, what they thought I should do.
“Because I wasn’t the player they expected, many wanted me out of the club. They thought I wouldn’t have a future there, even from my first season.
“It wasn’t even a matter of feeling it and then suddenly it wasn’t [real]. It was very palpable.”
During that period, Al-Hilal were reportedly preparing a €100m bid and a contract offer in excess of €150m over four years, a figure that, by Raphinha’s admission, was impossible to ignore.
“I’ve been playing football since I was 15,” said Raphinha. “I’ve been through good times and bad times everywhere, so there came a point when I thought it was time to take care of myself and my family.
“The offer really tempted me. It would have solved not just my personal life, but also the lives of my parents, my son, a lot of people.
“Obviously, we thought about leaving the club. I thought it might be time to leave, but then we talked to [Hansi Flick], first on the phone and then at the beginning of the preseason, and he managed to convince me to stay. And I’m glad he convinced me.”
