Raphinha is quite clearly the man of the moment for Barcelona right now.
After missing a chunk of the season due to injury, the Brazilian’s return has served as a pure blessing for the Blaugrana, and it was evident in his performance against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Indeed, the former Leeds United winger was undisputedly the best performer of the game as he scored two goals on the night.
The role of Hansi Flick
However, Raphinha’s blistering form and overall improvement at Barcelona are not just a result of individual brilliance; it is the fruit of a special relationship with manager Hansi Flick, a partnership that is defining a new era for the club.
As reported by MARCA, Raphinha’s journey could have looked very different. After the match, the winger revealed that he had “one foot out the door” last season before Flick intervened.
Raphinha, Barcelona player
The man of the moment at Barcelona right now. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
“I always say he was the person who changed everything for me. I was leaving the club, I had one foot out the door, and his importance was enormous: he came, spoke to me, and told me he wanted me on the team,” Raphinha admitted in Saudi Arabia.
That vote of confidence has unleashed a beast. After recording a historic 34 goals and 26 assists last campaign, Raphinha continues to be the team’s engine
The bond extends beyond tactics. Flick has become Raphinha’s biggest advocate, recently labelling the Brazilian’s exclusion from the 2025 FIFA FIFPro World XI as “a joke” and “a great injustice” given his influence on the team’s treble-winning season.
In return, Raphinha has become Flick’s lieutenant on the pitch. He leads the pre-match huddles, mentors young talents like Lamine Yamal, and is the first to support his coach in tough moments.
This synergy between Flick and Raphinha played a key role in transforming the Brazilian international into one of the best players in world football right now.