Report – The reason behind Raphinha and Araujo’s urgent meeting request with Hansi Flick | OneFootball

Earlier today when Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was speaking to the media at the press conference ahead of the Spanish Super Cup final, he happened to receive a text message from one of his staff members, Arnau Blanco.

The message, captured by the media, showed that two Barcelona captains, Ronald Araujo and Raphinha, had requested a meeting with the head coach.

It sparked all sorts of speculations considering that Araujo has been heavily linked with a departure from Barça in the current transfer window, with Juventus showing strong interest in his services.

The reason behind meeting request

Now, Mundo Deportivo has come forward with a report shedding light on the real reason why Araujo and Raphinha sought a meeting with Hansi Flick today.

As dressing room sources explained to the publication, the reason for the request was far from transfer market-related.

Araujo, Raphinha sought a meeting with Flick today. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Instead, Araujo and Raphinha, who happen to be Barça’s second and fourth captains, respectively, simply wished to address an internal organisational matter on behalf of their teammates with the coach.

It must be noted that Marc-Andre ter Stegen is out with an injury and has not travelled to Saudi Arabia, although he is expected to arrive in Jeddah in time for tomorrow’s match to support the team.

In this situation, Araujo becomes the leading captain for Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Raphinha has stepped up as a leader of the team this season, shouldering the captaincy responsibilities for the most part after Ter Stegen’s injury as Araujo himself was out injured and Frenkie de Jong, the third captain, is no longer a regular starter.

So, it makes sense for him and Araujo to seek a meeting with the manager to address something that had nothing to do with the transfer window and the latter’s future.