Barcelona midfielder Rafinha said he had doubts about himself when he arrived at the Nou Camp and would have left the club if coach Hansi Flick had not taken over. Spanish media have called Rafinha a hero after he scored twice to help Barca defend their Spanish Super Cup trophy in Sunday's final against Real Madrid (3-2).
The Brazilian footballer moved from Leeds to Barcelona in July 2022 and did not settle in well at first.
In the first two seasons, he mostly came off the bench.
"I doubted myself a lot. I have a bad habit of being very self-critical, so that pressure made me think about leaving," Rafinha said of his start at Barcelona.
After a difficult start, Rafinha has established himself in the first team and is now one of the most important players. He has increased his goals and assists from season to season, especially last season.
He had a total of 14 goals and assists in his debut season, 15 in his second season, before totaling 27 last season.
"If Hansi Flick hadn't come, I would have left Barca. He changed everything. He told me I would be important. That's what a footballer needs - trust," Rafinha said.
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