‘There is a Barca with and without’ — Barcelona cult hero names €80m-rated star as the most decisive player in Hansi Flick’s squad | OneFootball

Ivan Rakitic has picked his most decisive Barcelona player under Hansi Flick, and his answer will not surprise supporters who have watched this team closely in recent months. The former Barca midfielder believes Raphinha is the attacker who currently shapes the side more than anyone else.

As quoted by Mundo Deportivo, the cult hero from the previous generation was asked to name the most decisive player in Barca’s current squad during an interview at the Legends Trophy event in Milan, and he did not hesitate before pointing to the Brazilian. He said:

“Taking everything together, he seems to me right now to be the one who controls his team the most. Of course we talk a lot about Pedri, Lamine Yamal, but I think there is a Barca with and without Raphinha.”

It is a striking line, especially because Barca have so many players who naturally dominate the spotlight. Pedri is the midfield brain, Lamine is the electric young star, and yet Rakitic still sees Raphinha as the player who most clearly changes the team’s level.

To be fair, that line could very well be used for Pedri as well. Raphinha may not always be the most glamorous figure in the squad, but he often ends up being the one who gives the attack direction, intensity and ruthlessness.

That is probably what Rakitic meant by the sum of everything. He is not just talking about goals or assists in isolation. He is talking about the full package, work rate, leadership, movement, aggression, decision-making and the ability to tilt games in Barca’s favour.

Barcelona missed the €80m-rated Brazilian a lot when he was out injured earlier this season. Rakitic has seen a lot of decisive players during his time at the club and he is not wrong with his assessment of Raphinha. Let’s hope the South American can continue to be influential in the coming months.