Raphinha thought about leaving Barcelona “several times”.

Raphinha says he has thought about leaving Barcelona “several times” since joining the club in 2022.

The 27-year-old has scored nine goals for Hansi Flick's side this season, including a hat-trick in the 4-1 home win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The Brazil international, who won the league title in his first season with the club in 2022/23, said before the game against Bayern that he felt “disrespectful” and “hurt” when he gave Barcelona fans club shirts with his number and the FC Barcelona logo The name is Nico Williams – the Athletic Club Bilbao striker who has been heavily linked with a move to the Catalan club this summer.

Raphinha admitted that “leaving the club crossed my mind” in his first season after joining from Leeds United.

“There was a lot of self-doubt,” Raphinha told ESPN. “I have a nasty habit of criticizing myself harshly, so to speak, and that pressure got me thinking about leaving.”

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The Brazilian has also stated several times since the start of the 2023/24 season – which began with a red card on matchday one against Getafe – that he has considered a move from Barcelona.

He said: “When you see a lot of things that the club wanted to sell me and that the fans wanted me to leave, then in the end the thought comes to you to leave, to go somewhere where there is no pressure.”

On Wednesday, Raphinha scored his second hat-trick of the season, having scored a hat-trick in a 7-0 win over Real Valladolid earlier this season, while he also scored twice in a 5-1 win at Villarreal.

Barcelona are back in action in La Liga on Saturday evening with an away game in the El Clasico against Real Madrid.

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