Raphinha talks Pedri, Lamine, Lewandowski, Flick, Messi, Alvarez, Ballon d’Or, Saudi offer

Raphinha talks Pedri, Lamine, Lewandowski, Flick, Messi, Alvarez, Ballon d’Or, Saudi offer Raphinha has opened up on almost every major issue surrounding his Barcelona career in a wide-ranging interview with RAC1’s Tu diras (h/t SPORT ), from his Ballon d’Or omission and Lamine Yamal’s chances to his decision to stay at the club and his surprise transformation into a number nine. The Brazilian enters the international break in extraordinary form, having scored 11 goals in seven appearances.  His importance to Hansi Flick’s team has grown even further after the manager moved him into a central attacking role. Raphinha backs Lamine Yamal for the Ballon d’Or The Ballon d’Or was one of the first major topics Raphinha addressed, particularly after both he and Pedri were left off the 30-player shortlist.  The Barcelona captain made no attempt to hide his frustration with the decision. “I think it’s unfair. Not just for me, but for Pedri too. I think he should have been on there as well,” he said. Raphinha believes individual performances, statistics and trophies should all be considered, and that framework leaves Lamine Yamal as his clear choice for the prize.  Raphinha has backed Lamine Yamal for Ballon d’Or. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) “Lamine has to win the Ballon d’Or, no matter what – there’s no other option. With all due respect to the others, but Lamine, by a long way, has to win this award,” he stated. The Brazilian also defended Yamal’s World Cup record when discussing the argument that his tournament should count against him.  Raphinha pointed to his own limited involvement in Brazil’s campaign, adding a touch of irony. “The one who didn’t play well was me – I didn’t play. I played one match, and we were knocked out in the last 16 or the quarter-finals; I can’t remember now because it hurt a bit.  “How are you going to win the World Cup by playing badly? I don’t get it,” he explained. Raphinha believes Yamal already has enough silverware and individual quality to justify his case, saying: “I think three titles are enough.” Furthermore, Raphinha compared the feeling he gets watching the youngster to the one he experienced as a child watching Ronaldinho. “When I was little, my eyes would light up watching Ronaldinho play, and that’s what happens with Lamine. “He brings a lot of magic to the pitch; he scores goals, he provides assists, he wins titles. I think that’s enough.” How Flick transformed Raphinha’s role at Barcelona Raphinha’s season has been influenced by a major change. Flick has increasingly used him as a centre-forward, a role the Brazilian initially approached with some doubts because of the expectations attached to replacing Robert Lewandowski in the position. Explaining why the role initially concerned him, Raphinha said: Raphinha has explained Flick’s role in changing his position. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) “People judge you on your goals. At the end of the day, you’re playing as a number nine and you’re in the position that used to be occupied solely by Robert Lewandowski.  “So, if you don’t score goals, people judge you for it, they point the finger at you for it,” he explained. The reality has been very different. Raphinha admitted the switch has suited him more than expected. “I didn’t imagine I’d feel so comfortable in this position,” he admitted. Rather than demand a return to his preferred position, the Barcelona captain has accepted Flick’s tactical instructions. “If I said I was going to play in my natural position, which is on the right wing, I wouldn’t play. So I have to adapt,” he said. Raphinha also revealed that the idea developed almost organically. Flick initially told him he would play through the middle before moving to the wing, then revisited the idea during pre-season.  Once the Brazilian showed he was comfortable, there was little reason to change it. That process has also given him a direct reference point inside the dressing room. When asked who he looks to for guidance in the role, Raphinha pointed towards Barcelona’s established number nine. “My role model is Robert Lewandowski – how could it be otherwise?” he said. His form has even seen him surpass some of Lionel Messi’s Barcelona records , although Raphinha was careful not to place himself alongside the Argentine. “Beating Messi’s records is something to be celebrated, but Messi is Messi and, for me, he’s in a league of his own,” he said. Asked whether he is currently playing the best football of his career, Raphinha gave a straightforward answer: “Yes, at the moment, yes.” Flick’s arrival changed everything The Brazilian also credited Flick with a decision that has changed the course of his Barcelona career.  The Barcelona captain addressed rumours of Saudi offers. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images) Before the German coach arrived, Raphinha had already decided he wanted to leave after the Copa America. “After the Copa América we played in, before the manager arrived, I was considering leaving the club and had already made up my mind,” he explained. Flick’s arrival changed that thinking, with Raphinha acknowledging: “The manager was a key factor in my decision to stay here.” Raphinha’s decision to remain at Barcelona has since become one of the defining stories of his career at the club. Injuries last season made him reassess his preparation, particularly after a heavy workload the previous campaign. Looking back at his physical problems, he admitted: “Obviously, last year I could have looked after myself a bit more,” he admitted. He also believes the number of matches he played previously may have caught up with him. “Two seasons ago, I think I played nearly 70 matches, something I’d never done before in my life. And it may be that last season I was feeling the effects of the previous season. Your body feels it,” he said. Despite his commitment to Barcelona, Raphinha’s future has continued to attract attention because of interest from Saudi Arabia. He confirmed that a major offer arrived this summer, but the financial appeal was not enough to change his mind. “A very good offer came in for me and my family, one that would have changed our lives. The figures were very tempting.” His preference, however, remains Barcelona , provided the club continues to want him. “If the club wants me here, I feel I can give a lot more to the club and my intention is to stay here for as long as I can,” he stated. Raphinha then went even further when describing what Barcelona now means to him: “It has become the club of my life. I’m just another fan.” On Julian Alvarez Raphinha also shared his thoughts on Julian Alvarez links. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) The interview eventually turned to Julian Alvarez, who was linked with Barcelona before remaining at Atletico Madrid.  Raphinha acknowledged the difficulty of Atlético losing one of their leading players, but suggested that a player’s happiness can affect his football. “He has made it clear many times that he wanted to leave, that he wanted to join us here,” he said. Raphinha then explained why he believes an unhappy player can struggle to perform at his best. “If you’re uncomfortable somewhere, things are unlikely to go well for you. They might go well – I’m not saying they’ll go badly there.  “But when you’re not comfortable, it’s very difficult to keep a clear head and focus on your work,” he concluded.