Barcelona captain Raphinha has given an exclusive interview to The Guardian, discussing his desire to retire at Barcelona, his transition to the number 9 role, his gratitude toward Flick, his support for Yamal to win the Ballon d'Or, and his obsession with winning the Champions League.

Read also: [Raphinha: Flick changed my life; I want to retire at Barcelona]

Raphinha has also earned the genuine respect of his teammates. When the squad voted for captain in the dressing room, Raphinha was chosen by the entire team as third captain. It completely surprised him and deeply moved him. At that moment, when he truly understood how much his teammates valued and trusted him, a subtle transformation occurred. Now, Flick has officially named him the team's first captain.

Reflecting on this turning point, he fell into deep thought. "When I found out that everyone had voted for me, it was like a switch flipped inside me, and my whole way of thinking changed," he said. "Everyone saw qualities in me that I hadn't even noticed in myself, and that's what changed me. Before wearing the armband, I didn't know I would love this responsibility so much. Wearing this responsibility has changed my mentality and made me who I am. I never thought I would enjoy being Barcelona captain so much. You really feel its importance. It's the greatest honour, much more than simply wearing an armband."

He seems to be a natural captain, displaying the purest leadership style since Puyol, even if that potential first had to be recognized by others. This trait is evident in his tireless example: Raphinha's high-speed sprints rank second in La Liga; according to Gradient Sports statistics, only three players across all of La Liga make more offensive presses without the ball every 30 minutes than him. Raphinha said: "Compared to most captains, I don't talk much, but I know everyone is watching me. People think: 'If this guy runs like a beast relentlessly on the pitch, I need to give my best too.' If you talk a lot but don't set an example on the pitch, nobody will believe you."

However, what his teammates see in him goes far beyond mere running; it's a charismatic personality that touches the soul. His leadership also stems from empathy, kindness, and understanding — Raphinha returns to the entire team the care he himself has received, considering the bigger picture while subtly looking out for each individual. He admitted he can keenly sense when Lamine Yamal is distracted during a match and knows how to bring the young player back to his best level, sharing every goal celebration with the rising star. A video recently circulated online showing him gently advising newcomer Gordon to play freely and without fear on the pitch. The most touching and revealing moment, however, was when Flick was sitting alone on the bench one day, lost in thought, and Raphinha approached him to comfort the coach, helping him overcome his frustration; the roles of master and apprentice were reversed in that tender moment.

"The relationship between a coach and a player is the most important bond in football," said Raphinha. "From Flick's first day with the team, we could confide in him unreservedly — really talk about anything. That day, I saw him with his head down. At first, I didn't understand why, so I went and asked him what was wrong. He said he thought the team wasn't playing well enough. I remember telling him that things were fine, that we had won the match, and that our form would return naturally. I'd rather win a thousand ugly matches than play beautifully and lose. As long as we keep winning, confidence and fluid football will follow naturally."

"The type of leader you become depends on the specific situation. If I need to be tough, I won't hesitate. But I prefer a harmonious and pleasant dressing room atmosphere; I like to joke around. The team's record over the last two years has been incredible, so I don't often need to be stern and play the boring villain. I know that toughness can be uncomfortable, but in crucial moments, someone always has to take charge and play the bad cop."

Especially in a dressing room with such a young squad? Four key players in Barcelona's first team were born in 2007. "Wow!" Raphinha laughed and exclaimed. "It really hits me hard; it's a brutal reminder that I'm closer to the twilight of my career than they are to its beginning, at eighteen or nineteen. But I'm in excellent physical shape right now, and retirement is still far off for me. It's very easy to get along with these young players. Although they're young, they're very disciplined and responsible about their careers and daily lives. From time to time, you need to show some fatherly attention because they're still just kids. But they're very sensible; if they're criticized, they understand it's for their own good, and I'll say what I think without hesitation when it's needed."

Does he show fatherly authority with Lamine Yamal? "No, no, no," Raphinha quickly interjected, waving his hand. "It's more of a big brother role, that's the more accurate position." According to him, Lamine Yamal is the superstar who deserves to win the Ballon d'Or: "Whether it's individual statistics, team honours, or the magic and aura of leadership on the pitch, it's all beyond dispute. In my opinion, this award must go to him no matter what. Even if I weren't Lamine's teammate at club level, just watching his dominance on the pitch, his performance data, and the trophies he's lifted — I think championship titles are crucial — he's absolutely the heavy favourite, in a league of his own. In three club competitions, he's won two with Barcelona; with the national team, he even lifted the World Cup with Spain."

The only regret is that the Champions League title still eludes them. Over the last two years, Barcelona has come incredibly close to the big-eared trophy, and this trophy is now the team's greatest obsession. "The semi-final defeat against Inter Milan in 2025 was the most heartbreaking," Raphinha recalled. "In the quarter-final against Atlético Madrid in 2026, we had every chance to qualify, and after the match, we could discuss many details and on-pitch decisions that could have been handled better. But against Inter, we had one foot in the final, and being eliminated that way was truly unacceptable. We're a young team — and that's in no way an excuse — young teams sometimes lack the experience to control crucial situations. But this season, we're more mature and better prepared. As long as we maintain this momentum and mentality, we're confident we can compete for every title. We already have all the pieces to win."

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

Traduit par IA.

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