Barcelona winger reveals the three key factors behind his success this season

One of the biggest positives for FC Barcelona this season, under the management of Hansi Flick, has been the explosion of Raphinha.

While the Brazilian international had been a solid performer in his first two seasons at the club, he has taken his game to a whole new level in the ongoing campaign, becoming a key figure in Flick’s setup.

Goals, creativity, work-rate, strong mentality, and leadership – Raphinha brings everything to the table and has become an undisputed starter in the side.

Raphinha opens up on what changed for him

Now, speaking in an interview with GE Globo (h/t SPORT), Raphinha acknowledged that he is in the best form of his career at this point.

“I’m in the best moment of my career, I can guarantee that,” said the Barcelona captain.

Highlighting the three key factors behind his success this season, the Brazilian international remarked:

“Firstly, the time I’ve been at Barcelona has helped me; then there is also the change of mentality to adapt to other positions that I made to be able to play and succeed; and then, the work that you do regardless of whether things work out or not.”

On his new role and adaptation

It must be noted that Raphinha has largely operated on the left flank or as a No. 10 this season, moving away from his niche right-wing spot, and has excelled in the new role. So much so that Brazil are also planning to mimic the tactic.

Discussing his transformation and adaptation to the new role, Raphinha said: “To tell the truth, six months ago, I wouldn’t have been ready to adapt to another position.

“I was very obsessed with wanting to play in my place on the right, which was the place where I felt most confident… “

Continuing, he added: “I think the change came about when I understood that if I wanted to play for Barcelona or the Seleçao I would have to adapt to any position, because there is a lot of competition and you are alongside players with a lot of quality.

“The question is that if you have the facility to play in other positions, this gives you a certain advantage because it allows you to spend more minutes on the pitch.”

Explaining his initial reaction when Flick offered him the chance to play both inside and on the left wing, where he had reluctantly finished last season, Raphinha said:

“At first, when they told me, I didn’t take it well, because, for me, it was much more comfortable to play in my position, with my back to the stands, being able to see practically the whole pitch in front of me.

“I felt much more comfortable there than playing centrally, with my back to the centre-backs, or on the left side, where I’m a bit of a hostage to my good leg.”

Opening up on how he changed his mentality and stance on the matter, he added:

“However, over time, I began to understand that to play in a great team like Barça or the Seleçao, you have to be willing to change, you have to be willing to evolve, regardless of whether you play in your position or not.”

Role in the team

Raphinha is now one of Barcelona’s five captains this season and has been leading the team out in recent matches in the absence of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ronald Araujo, and Frenkie de Jong.

And the Brazilian international insisted that he was very satisfied with his new role in the Blaugrana dressing room, saying:

“Whoever is in the dressing room, whoever lives there on a day-to-day basis, knows who the leaders really are,” he said.

“If I have been elected captain of Barcelona, which I am very proud of, it is a consequence of the way I am, of getting on well with everyone, with the older players, with the younger ones.

“I try to help those who come to the club, whether they come from the youth academy or from other places. I want them to adapt as quickly as possible.”