Raphinha’s journey from Porto Alegre to Barcelona’s dressing room is a story of resilience, discipline, and continuous self-improvement. His transformation into a top-level performer is not just about talent. It’s about mindset, sacrifice, and an unwavering desire to succeed.
Raphinha was raised in the relentless, grinding poverty seen across the sprawling shanty towns that litter the landscape in and around the neighbourhood of Restinga in the city of Porto Alegre.
In a neighbourhood where violence and drug trafficking are often a way of life, Raphael Dias Belloli knew from an early age that football was not just a way out – it was the only way out.
He struggled initially playing for an elite club like Barcelona.
Coach Xavi saw him more as a squad member than an undisputed starter and even when he started to be a regular in the line-up, he rarely played full games.
Barcelona’s inability to buy without selling first due to financial issues put him firmly in the frame as the club’s biggest playing asset and the player most likely to be sold, especially while Barcelona were trying to sign Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams last summer.
Focus was also elsewhere with the precocious and outrageously talented Lamine Yamal the centre of everyone’s attention and effectively undroppable.
In two seasons at the club, Raphinha was used off the bench 11 times and started just 42 games out of a possible 76.
The message coming out of Barcelona was simple. “We don’t want to lose you, but we think you ought to go,” seemed to be the gist of it.
Raphinha had other ideas, although it was a close-run thing.
“There were several moments, not just one [when I considered leaving],” he admitted.
“There was a lot of self-doubt. I have a nasty habit of criticising myself heavily, so to speak, so that pressure made me think about leaving.”
The dismissal of manager Xavi in May and subsequent appointment of Hansi Flick changed everything.
The German coach gave Raphinha a bigger role and allowed him to play with confidence. He is now a player reborn.
Flick focused his work on the importance of making smarter decisions, knowing when to dribble, when to pass, and the more direct style suited him too.
These days he loses the ball less and is more efficient and composed in front of goal.
Nobody should argue his right to be considered one of the top players in the world.
