El Clasico: Why I’ll be forever grateful to Barcelona manager, Flick – Raphinha

Barcelona winger Raphinha has said he will be forever grateful to manager Hansi Flick because the German changed his entire career.

Raphinha spoke ahead of Barcelona’s LaLiga El Clasico with Real Madrid on Sunday evening.

According to the Brazilian, he would’ve been in another club and not playing for Barcelona at the moment.

“I will be forever grateful to Hansi Flick. He changed my entire career,” Raphinha was quoted by Fabrizio Romano as saying.

“He wanted to see me train before taking any decision with my future.

“He saw me in his plans. Without Flick, I [would] maybe at another club and not at Barça now.”

Raphinha has scored 32 goals and registered 25 assists in 51 games for the Catalan club so far this season.

The former Leeds United player has already won the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana with Flick’s side this season.

Raphinha is currently the joint-top scorer in the UEFA Champions League this season alongside Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy.

The duo have 13 goals each to their names in the Champions League this season.

Raphinha was recently backed by Brazilian legend Rivaldo to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or.