Raphinha delivers classy response to Rashford arrival amid competition at Barcelona | OneFootball

There might not be a footballer in Europe who has experienced a bigger career turnaround than Raphinha has at FC Barcelona in the past 12 months.

From being in the periphery and looking in, under Hansi Flick, the Brazilian has become one of the first names on the team sheet and developed into a genuine superstar on the pitch.

Raphinha recently spoke in an interview with SPORT, where he addressed several interesting topics, including his competition with Marcus Rashford. He said:

Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, arrives to provide depth on the left wing following Ansu Fati’s departure. Barcelona also hold an option to make the move permanent.

The English forward has replaced Raphinha in the second half of both preseason friendlies so far and has made a strong impression. While the two players have very different profiles, their contrasting styles add a new dynamic to Flick’s tactical options.

In situations like this, it’s common for players to feel unsettled, but Raphinha’s response reflects the maturity and leadership that have seen him entrusted with the captain’s armband. His mindset is exactly what a top club demands.

With a long season ahead, both Raphinha and Rashford will play vital roles for Barcelona. Thanks to their versatility, they can even coexist on the pitch rather than compete for a single position.

As Raphinha aptly put it, increased competition pushes everyone to raise their level. For Flick, this is the kind of selection dilemma every manager hopes for.