
Barcelona’s appointment of Hansi Flick proved to be the making of Raphinha, who considered leaving the club at the end of Xavi Hernández’s tumultuous reign in charge.
Barça, too, thought about giving on the former Leeds United star, who was yet to capture hearts and minds in Catalonia. The Blaugrana fantasized over pairing Athletic Club’s Nico Williams with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal after the pair thrived in tandem for Spain at Euro 2024.