Barcelona/Raphinha: "I really thought about leaving"

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·15 October 2025

Barcelona/Raphinha: "I really thought about leaving"

Barcelona's Brazilian winger Raphinha has admitted he seriously considered a move to Saudi Arabia during the 2024 summer transfer window.

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The 28-year-old revealed to ESPN Brasil that he had received several highly lucrative offers from the Gulf region.

Of course I thought about it. I told myself maybe it was the right moment to leave. But after speaking with Hansi Flick, first on the phone and then at the start of pre-season, he managed to convince me to stay. And fortunately so.

Raphinha acknowledges that those offers could have provided "financial security" for his entire family. Ultimately staying at Barça, the former Leeds player has already recorded three goals and two assists this season. Under contract until 2028, he remains a key part of the Catalan project.