FC Barcelona star Raphinha said he felt “like a commodity” after his name was linked with a possible move from the club, but also admitted he was considering leaving the Catalans. during an appearance losimplenovale podcast.

The Brazil national team regular was bought from Leeds United in 2022 and told his then-manager Deco how he told Barca that a transfer to Barca was “a priority”.

“Perhaps seeing Brazilians succeed there created a special affection for me,” he explained. “Deco told me that Barca were interested in leaving Leeds.”

“They wanted to buy me, but there was no fair play (i.e. Financial Fair Play room). But there were options. Even though there were options, my priority was Barça. That summer I was very open with all the clubs.”

Despite winning La Liga in his first season under the management of the recently departed Xavi Hernandez, Raphinha’s name is constantly associated with a transfer out of the club that the winger did not like.

“They broadcast that they will sell me, you feel like an object. They do whatever they want to us. We have emotions. We have children. Most of the time we hear things and it affects us, we are not cold-blooded.

“I am hot, sometimes I do things I shouldn’t do. But I came like this, I am like this, even though I have matured. I am more careful, but they won’t do it with my head. The 27-year-old young man, do whatever they want, there is a man behind him,” he protested.

“I thought about leaving because I’m sure of my potential and if they don’t want me, I’ll leave,” Raphinha admitted.

“One day, my wife and I talked about all the options at home and talked about everything I could do here.

“There was a lot to do at Barça and I had many years left on my contract. We knew what we could do. I had come to make history and I wanted to show that to people who did not trust me.” reflected.

Raphinha, of course, did not continue and everyone proved what a wise decision this was.

Now in the form of his life, the player scored a hat-trick against Bayern Munich in La Liga and the Champions League this term and has become a fan favorite, often donning the captain’s armband for Hansi Flick.

In addition, Raphinha, who beat Real Madrid 4-0 in El Clasico in the last round, is certain to start on the left wing in the intercity derby match against Espanyol at Montjuic Stadium on Sunday.