Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Real Betis left many questions on the table, and one of the most prominent topics was Raphinha, who once again started the match on the bench and only came on in the second half. Hansi Flick justified this decision as a precautionary measure based on the player’s physical condition, but the Brazilian responded quickly: Raphinha wants to play every match.
Raphinha, one of Barcelona’s best players this season, had arrived somewhat exhausted after his international commitments with Brazil. Flick, aware of the minutes Raphinha had recently played and what lies ahead, decided to manage his playing time in the recent matches. However, the message sent by the winger after the Betis game was very clear: he is ready to get as many minutes as possible during this crucial part of the season.
According to information from Spanish newspaper ‘‘El Nacional‘‘, Raphinha wants to return to the starting lineup at the expense of excluding Polish star Robert Lewandowski from the first team, and he told Flick that directly.
Flick knows he needs his best players at their best, especially those who can make a difference in the final minutes of matches. Raphinha is one of those players.
Alongside his impressive performances, Raphinha also wanted to send a message of leadership and commitment to his teammates. In a Barcelona team undergoing a major rebuild, with many young players and ongoing discussions about the starting XI, the Brazilian is looking to step forward. He knows he’s in good form, enjoys the trust of the locker room, and can be a key figure in helping the team win trophies again.
Flick will have to manage his squad wisely during this difficult period, but the message is clear: Raphinha does not want to sit on the bench; he wants to be on the pitch, pulling the strings and helping Barcelona return to the top.