Xavi did not have confidence in me, claims Barca star Raphinha

Barcelona star Raphinha feels he was let down by previous coach Xavi, who did not have confidence in him.

Raphinha has been sensational for the Blaugrana this term under the tutelage of Hansi Flick.

Only Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (56) has contributed to more goals in all competitions this season than Raphinha (53) among players in Europe's top five leagues.

The former Leeds United attacker, who joined Barca in 2022, has scored 31 goals and provided 22 assists.

Yet he struggled to cement his place in the team under Flick's predecessor, Xavi.

While he played 87 times and started 60 games, he played only eight full matches. 

"I felt like the coaching staff didn't have any confidence in me," Raphinha said in an interview with Isabela Pagliari's YouTube channel, as quoted by ESPN.

"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."

Raphinha scored 20 goals and provided 23 assists under Xavi, but felt he would often be taken off even if he was playing well.

"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," Raphinha added.

"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."

Flick has got the best out of Raphinha, who has created 143 chances in all competitions, a total bettered by only Bruno Fernandes (145) among players in Europe's big five leagues.

Raphinha has contributed to 20 goals in this season's Champions League, which is only one shy of the all-time record in a single season in the competition, set by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013-14.

One more assist in the competition this term would also see Raphinha match Luis Figo's single-season record of nine assists.

"He is someone who looks out for all the players, those that are playing and those that are not playing," Raphinha said of Flick ahead of Barca's clash with Inter on Tuesday.