The Barcelona forward, **Raphinha**, has spoken out about his aborted transfer to a Saudi club. The Brazilian was the subject of interest from Al-Hilal, but ultimately decided to remain with the Catalan team, extending his contract until 2028.
“I have been involved in football since I was 15. I’ve experienced both ups and downs in life, so I felt it was time to think about taking care of myself and my family. The offer we received from Saudi Arabia was astonishing. It could have changed my life, as well as the lives of my parents, my son, and many others.
Of course, I considered leaving Barça, and I thought that maybe it was the right moment for a change. However, after discussing it with the coach (Hans-Dieter Flick), initially over the phone and then in person at the beginning of preseason, he managed to persuade me to stay. I’m glad he did,” Raphinha told ESPN.
In the 2024/2025 season, Raphinha participated in 57 matches across all competitions, scoring 34 goals and providing 25 assists. He celebrated winning the Spanish championship with Barcelona, as well as lifting the Cup and the Super Cup.
