Former Leeds United star Raphinha has admitted he found it difficult initially at Barcelona.
The winger was at Leeds between 2020 and 2022. His fine displays for the Whites had attracted interest from other English clubs, but the La Liga side won the battle in the end.
Barca reportedly paid £50m plus bonuses to Leeds in 2022. He managed two goals and two assists in the league during the first half of the 2022/23 season.
The Brazil international has now been speaking to RAC1’s Tu Diràs, and his quotes are relayed by Tuesday’s edition of Sport.
He has revealed that it was difficult for him to adapt at Barca, after arriving at the Camp Nou from Leeds. The attacker even considered leaving the Catalan club at one point.
“If I considered leaving? Yes. The first six months were difficult for me and my family. After the World Cup I improved and was able to finish the season well. I became calmer, but at the beginning it was quite difficult,” he said.
“My adaptation was difficult for me. I knew what I had to do, but I didn’t know that it would be so difficult on a personal level. I once thought about leaving. Barca is a giant club, and it is normal that it costs. I wasn’t used to this, but it happened quickly.”
The 2022 World Cup took place between November and December in Qatar. The ex-Leeds star finished his debut season at Barcelona with 10 goals and 12 assists, and 10 goals and 13 assists last season.
Raphinha was linked with a move back to England in the recently concluded window, but he never considered leaving Barcelona.
