Raphinha has expressed his disappointment to the media alst summer when he saw Nico Williams's name on his jersey.
Raphinha's Deal with Deco
Raphinha had a tough time and last summer he reached an agreement with Deco, his former agent. Basically, if he became a regular in the lineups and an essential part of Barça's matches this season, Deco would forget about Nico Williams.
That's what he's been doing. He has 5 goals and 5 assists in 10 LaLiga games played. Plus, 1 goal and 1 assist in the two games he's played in the Champions League.
The Brazilian star has surpassed the most positive predictions about his game, to the point that, among Barcelona fans, no one remembers Nico Williams or considers the need to sign him.
Raphinha was very confident of his strength and his abilities. If he didn't become irreplaceable in Flick's new Barça, he would willingly accept the transfer.
"An Offense to my Work"
For the time being, the agreement reached between Deco and Raphinha favors the player. Given his performance, it's hard to believe that Barça could ever give him up in favor of Nico Williams.
This is what Raphinha expressed today, in the preview of the Barça-Bayern Munich match. He was asked how he felt last summer, when it was taken for granted that Nico Williams would arrive at Barça to take his place.
"That impartical joke about Nico Williams's jersey was out of line. We have to respect the club's players. It was an offense to my work."
"People do what they want. But that wasn't done to make me start the season better. I started the season knowing that, to play here, I had to adapt to other positions."
The Message to Nico Williams
About Nico Williams he concluded: "If I was working at 100%, today I'm working at 200%." That's the message.
Raphinha also spoke about his 100th game for Barça, which will arrive against Bayern: “It will be a very special game. We are working hard, I will celebrate after the game, hopefully with a win.”
On his excellent style of play he said: "I can say that it's due to a mental and tactical issue. For me, the confidence that the manager and my teammates give me is very important.
The mindset with which I started this year was different from others. I'm at my best.”
He also spoke about his captaincy of the team: “It's a huge honor to wear the armband. Being captain is not just about that, though; it's about helping both youngsters and veterans and listening to them all. I am excited to wear the armband.”
He also commented on the desire for revenge against Bayern: “What's done is done. I don't see any desire for revenge against Bayern, we are just preparing to win.”
Raphinha was asked about his progress with the Catalan language. He replied: “I understand it well and, if they speak to me slowly, I can understand the context. I daren't speak yet, but I understand.”