Barcelona captain Raphinha gave an exclusive interview to The Guardian, discussing his desire to retire at Barcelona, his transition to the number 9 position, Flick's coaching, his support for Yamal to win the Ballon d'Or, and his obsession with winning the Champions League.

Related reading: [Raphinha: Flick changed my life; I want to retire at Barcelona]

Raphinha also received genuine support from his teammates. In a captaincy vote among the squad, Raphinha was elected as the third captain by the entire team. This completely surprised him and deeply moved him. At that moment, when he truly realized how highly his teammates valued him and how much they trusted him, a subtle transformation occurred. And now, Flick has officially appointed him as the first-team captain.

Reflecting on that moment, he thought deeply. "When I learned that everyone had voted for me, it felt like a button was pressed in my mind, and my way of thinking completely changed," he said. "Everyone saw qualities in me that I wasn't even aware of myself, and that's what changed me. Before I truly put on the captain's armband, I didn't know I would love this responsibility so much. Taking on this role changed my mindset and made me who I am now. I never thought I would enjoy being Barcelona's captain so much. You truly feel the weight of your own importance. It's the highest honor – not just putting a captain's armband on your arm."

He appears to be a natural leader, displaying the purest leadership spirit since Puyol – even if this potential initially needed to be recognized by others. This nature is reflected in his tireless leadership by example: Raphinha's sprint speed ranks second in La Liga; according to Gradient Sports statistics, only three other players in La Liga apply more pressing actions in the attacking third per 30 minutes when not in possession. Raphinha said: "Compared to most captains, I don't talk much, but I know everyone is watching me. Everyone thinks: 'If this guy runs like an animal without tiring on the pitch, I should also give my all.' If you talk a lot but don't lead by example on the field, no one will respect you."

Yet what his teammates see in him runs much deeper than just running; it's a charisma that touches their souls. His leadership also stems from empathy, kindness, and understanding – Raphinha repays the attention he has received many times over to the entire team, considering the bigger picture while subtly looking after everyone. He openly acknowledges that he can sense very clearly when Lamine Yamal is troubled during a match and knows how to bring the young player back to his best performance, sharing every goal celebration with the young star. A recent video circulating online shows him gently reminding new player Gundogan to play freely and fearlessly on the field. But the most touching and most telling moment is when Flick sat alone on the bench, lost in thought, and Raphinha proactively approached him to comfort the coach, helping him overcome low spirits – with the mentor-student roles reversed in that warm moment.

"The relationship between coach and player is the most important bond in football," said Raphinha. "From the first day Flick joined the team, we could open our hearts to him without hesitation – truly talk about anything. At that time, I saw him put his head down. At first, I didn't understand why, so I approached him and asked what was wrong. He said he felt the team wasn't playing well enough. To the best of my knowledge, I told him everything was fine, we were winning matches, and our performance would return naturally. I'd rather win a thousand ugly matches than play beautifully and lose. As long as we keep winning, confidence and flowing football will come on their own."

"What kind of leader you are depends on the specific situation. If I need to be firm, I won't hesitate. But I prefer a harmonious and enjoyable atmosphere in the dressing room, with some jokes. The team's results over the past two years have been extraordinary, so I don't often need to be the annoying tough guy. I know being harsh can be uncomfortable, but at crucial moments, someone has to step up and play the difficult role."

Especially in a dressing room with such a young squad? Four of Barcelona's key first-team players were born in 2007. "Wow!" exclaimed Raphinha with a laugh. "That really brings it home – it's a stark reminder that I'm closer to the end of my career than they are, just starting out at eighteen or nineteen. But my physical condition is fantastic right now, and retirement is still a long way off. It's very easy to get along with these young guys. Despite their youth, they're very disciplined and responsible toward their careers and daily lives. Sometimes, you do need to show some fatherly attention, because they're still kids. But they're very receptive; if they're criticized, they understand it's all for their own good, and I'll certainly speak frankly when I need to."

Does he also show fatherly authority when dealing with Lamine Yamal? "No, no, no," Raphinha quickly waved his hand to interrupt. "More like an older brother – that's a more accurate description." According to him, Lamine Yamal is a superstar who deserves to win the Ballon d'Or: "Whether it's individual statistics, team awards, or his footballing genius and leadership presence on the pitch, none of it is questionable. In my opinion, this award should be his no matter what. Even if I weren't Lamine's teammate at the club, just watching his dominance on the field, his statistical output, and the trophies he's won – I think the title is crucial – he's clearly the top contender in his own league. In three club competitions, he's won two with Barcelona; with his national team, he even won the World Cup with Spain."

The only regret is that the Champions League title remains elusive. Barcelona came agonizingly close to the 'big-eared trophy' in the past two years, and it has now become the team's greatest obsession. "The loss to Inter Milan in the 2025 semifinal was the most painful," Raphinha recalled. "In the 2026 quarterfinal against Atlético Madrid, we had every chance to progress, and afterward, we can discuss many details and decisions on the pitch that could have been handled better. But against Inter, we already had one foot in the final, and to be eliminated like that was truly unacceptable. We are a young team – this is no excuse – and young teams sometimes lack the experience to control crucial moments. But this season, we are more mature and better prepared. As long as we maintain this momentum and mindset, we're confident we can compete for every title. We already have all the elements to win."

And all these attacks will be led by the captain, leader, and number 9 striker standing at the forefront of the team.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

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