Raphinha nearly left Barcelona for Saudi Arabia
Barcelona winger Raphinha was close to joining Saudi last summer, but incoming manager Hansi Flick intervened and persuaded him to stay.
Raphinha has revealed that he was close to leaving Barcelona in 2024 for Saudi Arabia, but was convinced to stay at the club by Hansi Flick.
Last summer, the Brazilian felt unwanted in Catalonia and was tempted by a move to Saudi Arabia for life-changing money. However, Flick, who replaced Xavi Hernandez as Barcelona’s head coach in May last year, ensured that Raphinha stayed in Spain.
In 2024-25, across Europe's top five leagues, only Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (57) registered more goal involvements than Raphinha (56).
In the same campaign, the former Leeds United technician also equalled Cristiano Ronaldo's 2013-14 Champions League record of 21 goal contributions in a single season in the competition, while only eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi (14 in 2011-12) has scored more goals for Barcelona in a single campaign than Raphinha's 13.
However, before this scintillating season, the 28-year-old was seriously considering a move to a different continent.
"The offer we had from Saudi Arabia really tempted me,” Raphinha told ESPN. “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 [Barcelona]. I thought it might be time to leave, but then we talked to [Flick], first on the phone and then at the beginning of the preseason, and he managed to convince me to stay. I'm glad he did."
The winger also divulged how he felt disrespected by Barcelona, due to their interest in Athletic Club talent Nico Williams, who eventually signed a new ten-year deal at his current employers.
"A lot of people [wanted me out]," he said. "It's impossible to name them all. Suddenly, I wasn't doing what they thought I should be doing, what they thought I had to do.
"But I always had a clear conscience about what I was able to deliver. I was extremely dedicated. Maybe they wanted 30 goals per season, which isn't really my style. I'm not a striker, I'm a player who helps a lot with commitment, with a lot of dedication, a lot of hard work, that's Raphinha. I'll always give my best.
"So because I wasn't the player they expected, many wanted me out, they thought I had."
Raphinha has been unplayable for Barcelona, and in 2024-25, he netted 18 goals and provided nine assists in LaLiga. Over the course of the new Spanish top-flight campaign, he has recorded five goal involvements, but has been unavailable for recent fixtures due to a thigh issue and is expected to return for the mouthwatering El Clásico against Real Madrid on 26th October.
