Barcelona superstar hits back at critics who questioned his level – ‘Not here as a gift from anyone’ | OneFootball

Barcelona are on a renewal spree to ensure that key figures stay bound to the club for the foreseeable future.

And, Raphinha is among those to have given his commitment to the club for the long haul, signing a new contract until 2028.

The Brazilian star, after all, shone for Hansi Flick’s side in the recently concluded season and ended the campaign as one of Europe’s best-performing players.

Raphinha is currently enjoying his vacation after the long season but will soon link up with the Brazilian national team to play under the orders of Carlo Ancelotti – the new manager of the Selecao.

Raphinha’s interview

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo in a recent interview, Raphinha opened up on his season at Barcelona and how he was being linked with a departure from the club even just a year ago.

He first began by dealing with the incessant rumours over his departure in recent transfer windows and how he has shut his haters this season.

“Since I arrived, in every market there were rumours that I was leaving, that I was not good for this club. But I knew my ability,” he began.

“I’m not here as a gift from anyone. I’m here because of my work and what I did in other clubs and with the national team. Lack of level is not true,” he added.

He then spoke out on how the criticism, to an extent, was understandable given the legacy of the club and how there is a fine margin between being a hero and a villain.

“But I’m at Barça, a big club, a demanding club, and if you don’t give what people expect, it’s normal to be criticized: that they say that it’s better for you to leave, that you don’t have the level to play with this shirt.”

“But I knew what I could give this club. I knew that if I worked and the results came, people would change their minds. And this is what has happened,” he added.

Key player for Flick. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Raphinha then went on to admit that he had interest from a lot of clubs in the Premier League and outside, insisting that it would not have been the case if he lacked quality.

“Yes [I had offers]. This shows that it was not a lack of level. A player who has no level will not be looked for by the greats of the Premier League and other greats who were interested in me with very high offers.”

On how he always wished to play only for Barcelona and how he did not have to break a sweat over his decision, the winger said:

“But I wanted to be here. Since I was little I followed Barça, I always watched them play. I remember Ronaldinho, Neymar, the history, the titles, the atmosphere, the fans.”

“I always wanted to be here and write my name in the history of the club. I had visited the city and the stadium before and it was my wish,” he added.

Finally, Raphinha joyfully spoke on the sensational season he enjoyed this time around and how it was just the beginning of great things to come following his renewal until 2028.

“Yes, it was my goal since I arrived: to be here for many years even more than I had in the old contract.”

“This was going through my head from the first moment I arrived. But I knew that to renew I had to perform and give my best version in every game and training,” the recently renewed star added.