Barcelona star Raphinha has hit out at former boss Xavi for not trusting him and said he even considered moving to Saudi Arabia last summer.
The Brazilian has enjoyed a remarkable campaign under Hansi Flick, scoring 31 goals and providing 25 assists in all competitions, and has been tipped for the Ballon d’Or.
The 28-year-old, who moved from Leeds United in July 2022, started just 17 league matches under Xavi last season.
He completed a full 90 minutes on just eight occasions during two seasons under the Barcelona legend.
And while he won La Liga in 2023, Raphinha admitted he considered moving because Xavi ‘did not trust him’.
‘I felt like the coach [Xavi] and his staff did not trust me,’ Raphinha told Isabela Pagliari.
Barcelona and Brazil forward Raphinha has hit out at his former boss Xavi for not trusting him
The Brazilian has enjoyed a remarkable campaign under Flick and is tipped for the Ballon d’Or
The 28-year-old has scored 31 goals and provided 25 assists in all competitions this season
‘When there was no other [player], I was there and I played 90 minutes. I gave everything I could give and had an impact on games, but when there was another [player] who could play in my place, they picked them without even thinking about it.
‘Sometimes, I was doing everything for 60 minutes and they would take me off. There’s a famous video in which I explode when I reach the bench and punch it.
‘I think it was the game against Manchester United [in the Europa League in 2023]. I had done really well. I had scored and set up a goal. I think it was 2-2 and they took me off.
‘I had just created a really good chance. I felt good and was playing well. And I was the first player taken off. I could not believe it.’
In his two seasons under Xavi, Raphinha made 87 appearances, although 27 were as a substitute, scoring 20 times.
Xavi, who spent 17 years as a player in Barcelona, has been on sabbatical since leaving the Catalan side last year.
‘I tried to fix the situation,’ Raphinha added. ‘I had several conversations with [Xavi], but I saw that it was making no difference. He had his way of thinking.’
Raphinha clashed with Oscar Hernandez, Xavi’s brother and assistant, last April after being replaced during a match against Valencia.
Barcelona face Inter Milan in the Champions League as they look to complete the treble
Xavi later told the Brazilian he would not play the next game as ‘there are attitudes that can’t be allowed’.
Raphinha previously revealed he considered leaving Barcelona after his first season.
He also said he spoke with Neymar about a move last summer but his wife persuaded him to stay in Spain.
Meanwhile, he piled praise on current boss Flick.
‘He is someone who looks out for all the players, those that are playing and those that are not playing,’ he said.
‘I really noticed that when Vitor Roque left. I was really moved by how he dealt with that. He was more concerned than Vitor about what was happening. He went to speak with the club to find out all about the situation and he spoke with [Roque].’
Barcelona face Inter Milan on Tuesday evening as they look to reach the Champions League final and are still in contention for the treble.
The Catalans dramatically beat Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final and sit at the top of the La Liga table, four points ahead of arch-rivals Madrid, with just four games remaining.
