Former Barcelona manager Xavi has opened up on his role in bringing Raphinha to the club, insisting he was the driving force behind the Brazilian’s arrival from Leeds United.
In candid remarks, the Spaniard detailed how his interest in the winger predated his time at Camp Nou, stretching back to his coaching days in Qatar.
“I was the one who signed Raphinha. I was the one who ordered the club to sign him,” Xavi said. “I even wanted to sign him when I was at Al Sadd and he was still in Portugal.”
Xavi explained that he personally instructed Barça’s then-sporting director Mateu Alemany and football director Jordi Cruyff to get the deal done. “At Barcelona I told Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff that we had to sign him.”
The 44-year-old praised Raphinha’s attributes as a key reason for his persistence. “He’s a winner, he attacks the space, good in 1v1s, and scores goals. I always tried to give him confidence.”
While acknowledging a positive personal dynamic, Xavi also offered a pragmatic assessment of squad management. “My relationship with him was good, but as a player you have to understand that we also have game changers who can substitute him off the bench if we’re not playing well.”
