Latest news with #Raphinha
Forbes
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
FC Barcelona Coach Flick Fires Warning To Lamine Yamal
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick fired a warning to star player Lamine Yamal during an interview published by the club's official magazine. The pair have just wrapped up a domestic treble-winning season together in Flick's maiden term manning the dugout, and while Lamine is currently holidaying in Brazil with former Barca winger Neymar, Flick interrupted his own vacation to reflect on some key topics. One was Ballon d'Or candidate Lamine, who Flick reminded us he often says is a 'genius'. 'And he's 17 years old, we have to help him,' Flick added, in comments that echoed those of Cristiano Ronaldo recently. 'So far everything is fine. If he wants to play the next 15 years at the highest level he needs to train very well and prepare mentally as well. He's smart. Not everything is about enjoyment, you also have to work. And players with their talent must do it,' Flick also warned, though he is confident that Lamine has 'good examples in the team' such as Raphinha, 'who trusts him a lot.' Flick spoke more about the number 11, who he was impressed by after watching for the first time. '[He's] very dynamic, giving the last pass, assisting [Robert] Lewandowski... I also saw that he needed confidence. He is Brazilian and, therefore, he has quality, but he also puts in heart, mentality and attitude. In addition, he always works in defense. He has a lot of potential,' Flick said. Though it was only coming up short in a Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan, by an aggregate score of 7-6, that cost Barca the chance to have an untouchable season, Flick stressed that it his approach is 'not about seeking perfection, but progression'. 'When I see the team improving day by day, I think that's what I really want. I'm here at this incredible club to help these players show their best selves. So we'll work hard and try to play at the highest level. That means, of course, fighting to win the Champions League and La Liga, which is not easy at all. It's about working hard and doing it together, to show what a great team we are,' Flick stated. Flick pointed out that 'it's not all physical, it's also mentality' in terms of guaranteeing success. 'In the last games of the season we perhaps suffered a little with the pressure they put on us in defence because they knew us better. It is important to have the best physical trainers and that they adjust to the football that is played at Barça. I could bring them from Germany, but I think it's a different philosophy and the players need someone to work with theirs. That has also been a success of Deco, which has brought experienced people. I think Julio Tous is perhaps the best. In addition, German, Pepe and Rafa have done a great job,' Flick said. After Flick and his troops more than exceeded expectations in their first season together, FC Barcelona now has a job on its hands to stay on top of the pile and continue exerting domestic dominance over arch nemesis Real Madrid.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick on Lamine Yamal – ‘It's not all enjoyment, you also have to work'
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick on Lamine Yamal – 'It's not all enjoyment, you also have to work' Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has given an interview to the club media channel, discussing the team and their progress through the season. He had particular words of praise for Raphinha and Pedri, as well as some advice for Lamine Yamal. The German coach explained that as early as the preseason, head fitness coach Julio Tous had remarked to him that 'with the things I am seeing, I think we will win La Liga.' It was prescient opinion from Tous, as Flick and his staff masterminded a domestic treble. Words of advice for Lamine Yamal Playing an instrumental role was teenage superstar Lamine Yamal. At the heart of their creativity, and with a season full of big performances, he is now spending some well-deserved holidays with Neymar Junior in Brazil. Flick had some advice for him though. Advertisement 'I often say it: he's a genius. And he's 17, we have to help him. So far, everything's fine. If he wants to play at the highest level for the next 15 years, he needs to train very well and prepare himself mentally. He's smart. It's not all about enjoyment; you also have to work,' Sport quote. Image via Diario Sport / X 'And players with his talent need to do that. He has good examples in the team, like Raphinha, who also has a lot of trust in him.' The examples: Pedri and Raphinha On Raphinha specifically, Flick noted that he was sorely lacking in confidence when he arrived at the club. The Brazilian has commented publicly that if it were not for Flick, he would likely have left Barcelona last summer. Advertisement 'I saw him play for the first time here and saw what kind of player he is. Very dynamic, making the final pass, assisting Lewandowski… I also saw that he needed confidence. He's Brazilian and therefore has quality, but he also brings heart, mentality, and attitude. He's always working defensively. He has a lot of potential.' Pedri was another of Barcelona's standouts this season. 'He's brilliant. When Pedri has the ball, it's fantastic to watch. It's fantastic to have him on the team. Plus, in the coming years he can be one of the team's leaders—he's only 22!' Challenges ahead for Hansi Flick For Flick, much of his challenge will be finding ways to maintain the same level from his side on the ball, and working out fresh challenges to pose for defences. Towards the end of the season he was also quite clear that there was room for improvement defensively. If he can maintain Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Raphinha at the same level though, that will go a long way to a successful campaign.
New York Times
12 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
What can Nico Williams add to Barcelona's already-stellar attack?
With personal terms agreed, Barcelona now lead the race to land Nico Williams, one of Europe's most in-demand wide attackers. The Athletic Club winger has shone for club and country in recent seasons, dazzling with his trickery and searing pace. The high point of his meteoric rise came with his goal in Spain's 2-1 win over England in last year's European Championship final. Advertisement His talent is beyond question, but Barcelona already boast world-class wide players in Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, and continue to grapple with well-documented financial issues. Is meeting Williams' €60million (£51.2m; $69.1m) release clause a canny move for a thrilling young gem or an unnecessary indulgence? Here, The Athletic explores why Williams is so coveted by Barcelona, and how he might fit into Hansi Flick's adventurous, dynamic system. The most obvious benefit of signing Williams is that he gives Barcelona another elite dribbler within their ranks. Like his international team-mate and fellow bundle of tricks Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams terrorises full-backs with his blistering take-ons. Only Yamal completed more take-ons per 90 than Williams in La Liga last season, with the pair trailing only Manchester City's Jeremy Doku across Europe's top four leagues. While Raphinha, currently deployed on the left under Flick, is no take-on slouch, he doesn't exhibit the same relentless drive to attack defenders one-on-one. Still, even with Williams' dribbling prowess, it would feel harsh for him to displace the Brazilian in the starting XI. Raphinha registered a staggering 21 goal contributions in the Champions League this season, with Flick saying his performances mean he 'could have a shot' at winning the Ballon d'Or. In contrast, Williams has been considerably less prolific when it comes to goals and assists. His six league goals last season represent a modest return, especially after back-to-back double-digit campaigns previous to this. But despite occupying the same position on the teamsheet, there's evidence that both players could co-exist in the same team, largely due to Raphinha's tendency to cut inside into central areas, as well as his positional versatility. Sources close to the club, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, agree that the arrival of Nico Williams is expected to allow Flick to use Raphinha in a more central role. Advertisement As shown by the touch map below, Williams operates as a more traditional winger, primarily hugging the touchline. Raphinha, however, has been given licence by the German manager to drift into more dangerous zones, frequently appearing in the so-called 'zone 14' just outside the box, and occupying spaces more akin to a No 10. According to data from SkillCorner, no player received the ball between the lines in La Liga last season more than the former Leeds United man (353 receptions), reinforcing that he's operating more like a central creator than a wide man. In fact, Raphinha started the first three games of La Liga last season as a No 10. Even Raphinha's current nominal role on the left is a development from his time in Catalonia. During his two seasons at Leeds United, Marcelo Bielsa and Jesse Marsch primarily used him on the right, allowing him to cut inside and shoot with his favoured left foot. The position map below shows all the areas he has occupied on the pitch since 2020-21, with the spread reflecting the trust his managers have placed in his ability to influence the game from virtually any area. Even if Williams is not thrown straight into the deep end initially and instead sporadically appears off the bench, his presence would give Barcelona much-needed depth and variety in attack. In full flow, Barcelona's front three of Robert Lewandowski flanked by Yamal and Raphinha are electric, one of the most potent attacking forces in Europe, guiding Barcelona to a staggering 102 goals during last season's La Liga campaign. But the system depends on that trio staying fit and firing. Flick felt the squad lacked depth when Lewandowski suffered a muscular injury during the decisive final months of the campaign. Sources at the club expect the 36-year-old to see reduced output this season, prompting the need for refreshed attacking options. Ferran Torres deputised well during that spell, but more firepower is needed to fill the goalscoring void during Lewandowski's absences. Advertisement Yamal and Raphinha's durability helped sustain Barcelona's performance levels throughout the campaign — only the ever-present Pedri logged more minutes. But should either end up on the treatment table, backup options out wide are thin, with Ansu Fati and Pau Victor not considered at the required level. For all their intelligent rotations and sharp passing combinations, Barcelona were one of the narrowest teams in possession last season. As the graphic below shows, no side in La Liga funnelled a higher share of attacks through central areas. While this approach rarely falters thanks to Barcelona's quality in tight spaces, teams deploying horizontally compact low blocks can frustrate them, as seen when a disciplined Leganes side claimed an unlikely 1-0 win last season. While Yamal typically gets chalk on his boots and sticks to the touchline, Raphinha's habit of drifting inside has often left left-back Alejandro Balde responsible for providing width down that flank. Balde is an effervescent, marauding full-back, but beating a man or operating in tight spaces isn't his natural forte. With Williams added to the mix, Barcelona would finally have natural width on both sides, much like the setup we've seen with Spain when Williams and Yamal play together. The take-on map below illustrates Williams' preference to attack down the line and stay wide. Beyond offering Barcelona new attacking avenues, Williams' off-ball work makes him a natural fit for Flick's high-intensity style. Among all attacking midfielders in La Liga, Williams completed 112 high turnovers, a figure bettered only by… Raphinha and Yamal. This appetite for winning the ball back should ensure continuity in Barcelona's pressing structure whenever Williams is called into action. That said, Williams still has plenty of areas he can sharpen at Barcelona. Despite his willingness to beat his man, he only completes take-ons in around one-third of instances. His end product could be refined, too, although his creative numbers — eight assists last season — are still impressive, particularly in the context of Athletic Club averaging just 48 per cent possession in 2024-25. Advertisement Ultimately, Williams is a young Spain international with bags of potential, who would add another string to Hansi Flick's attacking bow and further unlock Raphinha in the process — so it's little wonder the Barca hierarchy are so eager to secure his signature. (Top photo Alcoba Beitia/AFP via Getty Images)
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Raphinha begins following Barcelona transfer target on social media
The latest social media activity on the part of Barcelona star Raphinha has turned heads across the club's fanbase. This comes after the Brazilian, out of the blue, began following a player hotly tipped to make the move to Catalunya's capital this summer. Advertisement The player in question? Nico Williams. After a saga spanning the entirety of the 2024 summer window, links between Nico and Barcelona have of course reemerged in force over the last couple of days. This comes after the 22-year-old's representative sat down for a fresh round of talks with Blaugrana sporting director Deco. Nico, for his part, is now understood to be actively pushing to link up with Hansi Flick's squad for next season. And as alluded to above, this week, one such member of Flick's ranks has dropped something of a hint regarding the Athletic Club star's potential arrival. As showcased below, despite the fact that Nico's signing would directly add to his competition for a starting berth, Raphinha has begun following the Spanish international on Instagram: Conor Laird – GSFN
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Man United launch record-breaking bid for Barcelona star Raphinha
Manchester United have reportedly launched an unbelievable record-breaking bid to sign Barcelona star Raphinha, with a strong emphasis on 'unbelievable'. Fichajes reveals the Red Devils are intent on making a 'splash in the transfer market' this summer and have identified the 28-year-old winger as a key target to help Ruben Amorim bolster his misfiring forward line. Advertisement As a result, the Spanish outlet contends, United have 'put a €150 million offer on the table for Raphinha,' who has enjoyed the best campaign of his career in under Hansi Flick this season. The Brazil international returned an impressive 34 goals and 25 assists as helped propel Blaugrana to a triumphant La Liga and Copa del Rey double. He is considered a strong contender for this year's Ballon d'Or, alongside Barca teammate Lamine Yamal. United's offer for Raphinha – worth £128 million – surpasses the current record for a transfer by a British club, held by Chelsea after their £115 million capture of Moises Caicedo last summer from Brighton & Hove Albion. But this outrageous bid arrives off the back of the worst season at Old Trafford in the Premier League era with Ruben Amorim's side finishing 15th in the table. Advertisement A painful year defined by dreadful performances on the pitch and brutal cost-cutting measures off it. A nightmare campaign which culminated in the dismal 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, confirming there will be no European football at the Theatre of Dreams next season. In March, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who gained full control over the football operation last year, claimed United could have gone 'bust at Christmas' if not for INEOS' financial cuts over the past twelve months as the club had 'run out of money'. But fast-forward three months and United have now tabled a bid for a 28-year-old winger which shatters both the club and country's record for a transfer fee at a time when every penny is being counted at Old Trafford. Fichajes even details how Barcelona are shocked by the offer – 'the figure has even surprised the Camp Nou offices where such a large offer for the Brazilian winger…was not expected' – further demonstrating the 'unbelievable' nature of the report. Advertisement Something does not add up; and The Peoples Person wagers it's not due to miscalculations in Manchester or Catalonia. Rather, it's a story without credibility that is in the literal sense of the word, unbelievable. United may hold interest in Raphinha as a target this summer. The club may even be ready to make a bid for the 28-year-old forward. But the idea that the Red Devils have already tabled an offer worth £128 million pushes the boundaries of credulity from reality to fantasy. Follow us on Bluesky: @
