Raphinha’s outstanding performance in leading Barcelona to a commanding 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich has undoubtedly put him under the spotlight.
The Brazilian winger has received a wave of admiration for his contributions on the pitch and among those expressing praise is Jordi Cruyff, who served as Barcelona’s sporting director when Raphinha joined the club.
It must be noted that Raphinha’s transfer to Barcelona involved a hefty fee of €58 million, plus an additional €7 million in potential bonuses.
In a recent discussion, Cruyff reflected on how Raphinha’s signing came to be and highlighted the crucial role played by Deco, the current sporting director of Barcelona and Raphinha’s former agent.
According to Cruyff, whenever the club sought insights on Portuguese or Brazilian players, they consistently turned to Deco for his expert opinion.
“Whenever we had questions about Portuguese or Brazilian players we always asked him (Deco) for advice, as he knew them well,” he said.
Interestingly, discussions about Raphinha took place without realizing that Deco was actually representing him at the time.
“It’s true that we talked about Raphinha without knowing that he was the agent. What Deco said this summer is a bit like what happened.”
Remembering the transfer and criticism
He acknowledged the inevitable criticism that arose due to the substantial sum paid for the player.
“When it goes badly you have to raise your hand, just as if it goes well.
“It’s a job for the club, the coach and also with Mateu obviously, because we had to fit the numbers. But I remember this signing above all because of the moment it happened.”
However, he provided context by recalling that just weeks after Raphinha’s transfer, other clubs in the Premier League made their own significant investments, with Manchester United spending fortune on Antony and Chelsea committing the same amount for Mykhailo Mudryk.
This comparison highlights that, in retrospect, the price for Raphinha was reasonable given the market dynamics at the time.
“We spent a significant amount, but two weeks later in the Premier League, United spent 100 million on a player from Ajax and Chelsea spent 100 million on a Ukrainian, Mudryk. In the end, it worked out for us at an acceptable price,” he said.
Cruyff’s praise
Cruff believes Raphinha has made notable progress this season, feeling a renewed sense of freedom on the pitch. After a summer filled with speculation and pressure, Raphinha has emerged revitalized, ready to embrace his role at Barcelona.
I think now, this season, he has taken a step forward. He also feels a bit liberated. I think he has had a very complicated summer because of the usual rumours, and the famous environment that the club has.
“Captain and he feels like new, he has a new energy and today he is being… I wouldn’t say the best, but one of the best, not at Barça,” he noted.
Reflecting on Raphinha’s capabilities, Cruyff noted that he had been aware of the player’s talent during his time in Portugal. Although Maccabi could not afford him at the time, he recognized Raphinha’s work ethic, both defensively and offensively.
“One day they offered him when I was at Maccabi, but the price was out of our market.”
Cruyff emphasized that Raphinha’s commitment to teamwork is commendable, as he consistently contributes to defensive efforts and transitions.
As the season unfolds, it is clear that Raphinha has found his place within the team and is making significant strides in his performance, which delights those involved in his journey to Barcelona.
“He did a very good job at Leeds. Above all because of his ability to work hard, defensively and offensively, in transitions.
“He is a player who runs much more than what attackers usually do. He helps the team a lot when losing the ball and we are seeing that today. This season he feels liberated,” he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
Read the full article here