""I was greatly affected when I received the Saudi offer, because this offer would have solved many aspects of my personal life and secured the future of my parents, my son, and many people close to me," he told ESPN. The Brazilian international added that accepting a move to Saudi Arabia would have helped him solve most of his financial problems and would have allowed him to secure the future of his family."
""So, it was natural that we considered leaving, and I genuinely felt that it might be the right time to move on," he added. However, Raphinha ended up deciding to stay at Barcelona, especially after the appointment of Hansi Flick. The forward was involved in a phone call with Flick, where the German detailed his plans and how Raphinha played a central role. And sure enough, he decided to stay."
Raphinha established himself among world football's best by finishing fifth in the 2025 Ballon d'Or rankings. The forward nearly left Barcelona little more than a year earlier after a disappointing season under Xavi and a lucrative Saudi offer that would have resolved major personal financial concerns. He seriously considered the move to secure his family's future. Hansi Flick contacted him by phone and in person, laid out plans that positioned Raphinha centrally, and convinced him to remain at the club. Raphinha then enjoyed a career-best campaign and now focuses on returning to full fitness.
Read at Barca Universal
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