ROME (ITALPRESS) – “Flick changed my mentality. When he arrived, my head was already outside the club. I was sure I was going to leave. He called me and told me to wait before making a decision, because he wanted to speak to me in person. That conversation was fundamental. He gave me confidence and made me see things in myself that I had never seen before.” That is what Barcelona forward Raphinha told La Gazzetta dello Sport, after scoring 12 goals in the first seven rounds of La Liga.
“Lamine Yamal is, in my opinion, the number one candidate to win the Ballon d’Or,” added the 29-year-old Brazilian. “Lamine creates magic on the pitch. He has charisma and personality, as well as the goals, assists and trophies. He is a spectacular player, and he shows it both at Barça and with the national team, two sides on which he is one of the most important players.”
Raphinha also had high praise for Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti: “He surprised me tremendously. I had faced him as an opponent here in Spain and he had left a good impression on me; he seemed like a respectful person. But when I started working with him with the national team and we really got to know each other, I discovered what an exceptional person he is. That’s why I’m looking ahead to the 2030 World Cup.”
– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS)
