Barcelona’s manager Hansi Flick praised Raphinha’s mindset after the Brazilian once again made his mark against Real Madrid, scoring two goals in the team’s 3-2 victory in the Spanish Supercopa final held in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Raphinha kicked off the scoring and also sealed the win in Jeddah, with Vinícius Júnior, Robert Lewandowski, and Gonzalo García adding their names to the scoreboard in between as Barça claimed their fourth trophy under Flick.
The former Leeds United forward has now netted seven times in his last six Clásicos, also providing three assists.
“His mentality is exceptional,” Flick commented on Raphinha, who had previously scored twice in the semifinal against Athletic Club. “He brings a dynamic that elevates the entire team. Even when he missed his first chance, he was there for the second, scoring the opener and boosting the team’s confidence.”
“That’s his contribution. Raphinha on the field embodies intense energy, and we need that.”
Since returning from injury at the end of November, Raphinha has netted eight goals in ten appearances.
His comeback has coincided with Barça’s finest run of the season, and with Sunday’s victory over Madrid, they’ve now achieved ten consecutive wins across all competitions.
Raphinha attributed his improved performances to Flick, who took charge 18 months ago.
“[Flick] is the one who transformed my experience here,” Raphinha explained. “I was on the verge of leaving the club when he came in. His willingness to talk to me and assure me that I would be important made a huge difference. It’s crucial to have someone who values your efforts.”
“He provided me with what I needed at that moment, allowing me to concentrate on working hard and giving my best for the team.”
With this victory, Barça has triumphed in three consecutive finals against Madrid for the first time in history—two Supercopas and one Copa del Rey. Including last season’s LaLiga title, they have secured the last four trophies in Spanish football.
Despite this success, Raphinha emphasized the team’s desire for more silverware, with LaLiga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey still within reach.
“Wearing this jersey means that our main goal is always to win trophies. We’re performing well. We have numerous young players who possess a winning mentality, which is beneficial for the club. We are eager to fight for and win trophies,” Raphinha stated. “We aim to surpass last year’s achievements. The team has matured, and we can build on what we accomplished last season. The outcome is more dependent on us than on others. We must remain focused and know what we want.”