Barcelona winger Raphinha, has revealed that he came close to accepting a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League during the summer transfer window.
The Brazilian star, who extended his contract with the Catalan giants until 2028, admitted that he felt unwanted by many after his first two seasons at Camp Nou.
However, new manager Hansi Flick convinced him to stay and continue his journey with the club.
Speaking in an interview with ESPN, Raphinha confessed that the Saudi offer was difficult to turn down.
“The offer we had from Saudi Arabia really tempted me. It would have solved not just my personal life, but also the lives of my parents, my son… a lot of people.
“Obviously, we thought about leaving (Barcelona). I thought it might be time to leave, but then we talked to (Flick), first on the phone and then at the beginning of the preseason, and he managed to convince me to stay. I’m glad he did. A lot of people (wanted me out),” he added. “It’s impossible to name them all. Suddenly, I wasn’t doing what they thought I should be doing, what they thought I had to do.
“But I always had a clear conscience about what I was able to deliver. I was extremely dedicated. Maybe they wanted 30 goals per season, which isn’t really my style. I’m not a striker, I’m a player who helps a lot with commitment, with a lot of dedication, a lot of hard work, that’s Raphinha. I’ll always give my best.
“So because I wasn’t the player they expected, many wanted me out, they thought I had.”
The 27-year-old reaffirmed his commitment to Barcelona, expressing gratitude to Flick for restoring his confidence at a time when he almost walked away from the club.
