​Raphinha admits he was ready to leave Barcelona before Flick changed his mind: ‘Looking back today…’Raphinha has revealed that one conversation with Hansi Flick completely changed the course of his Barcelona career, admitting he had already decided to leave the club before the German manager convinced him to stay.The Barcelona captain has developed into one of the most important players in Flick’s team, even adapting to a new role as a number nine. However, looking back, in an interview with The Guardian, Raphinha believes none of it would have happened without that conversation during the summer of 2024.Flick convinced Raphinha to stay at BarcelonaRaphinha makes no secret of the influence Flick has had on both his career and his outlook. The Brazilian says the manager arrived when his mind was already elsewhere.“The manager has changed my life. I’ll always say that, forever and ever. He’s the person who changed my mindset – both at the club and as a person,” he began.Explaining just how close he came to leaving, Raphinha revealed that he had effectively written off his future in Catalonia before Flick intervened.“He arrived at a time, in 2024, when I’d practically written off my time at Barcelona. My mind was already elsewhere; I wanted to leave. “If I hadn’t had that conversation with Flick and he hadn’t convinced me in a matter of minutes that he was counting on me and trusted me, I wouldn’t be here now. It was hugely important to me.”The conversation happened while Raphinha was still on holiday following the Copa America. Flick called him directly and asked him to delay making any decision.“I was still on holiday after the Copa America when he rang me and said: ‘Before you make a decision, come and have a chat.’“Of course, I did just that. He told me he felt I was still going to be very important to the team and that the team was going to be important in helping me develop as a player.Raphinha credits Flick for his Barcelona success. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)“Looking back today, it has to be said that’s exactly how it turned out.”For Raphinha, the manager did not need a lengthy explanation to win him over, as his trust was enough.“He didn’t give me a specific reason, nor did he need to explain everything in detail. “When a manager instils confidence in you, a few words are enough. And I immediately felt that he had complete faith in me.”Raphinha explains his evolution into a number nineHis change of position has been another major part of Raphinha’s transformation under Flick. Rather than being an overnight tactical switch, the Brazilian describes it as a gradual evolution that has taken place over two seasons.“It was more of a gradual process, an adaptation that has taken place over the last two years and which meant that, little by little, I moved further inwards and played in a more central position. “That’s how I gradually got closer to the opposition’s goal.