He encourages colleagues

“It destroys you!” Barca professional gives a deep insight

Raphinha (center) talked about the stresses and strains of professional soccer.

(Bild: AFP/APA/Josep LAGO)

Raphinha is currently back on the road to success with FC Barcelona. However, professional soccer is a tough business, the Brazilian now reveals. "It's a profession that destroys you," explains Raphinha, who encourages his colleagues to seek psychological help.

"I had many moments when I wanted to give up, leave soccer and get on with my life. It's a profession that destroys you," says Raphinha in an interview with "Rac1", not mincing his words. Sometimes he would come home from training and not know whether he would even want to return tomorrow.

He has since put these problems behind him. Psychological support has helped the 27-year-old: "I do psychological work and that's very important, everyone should do it. It's very easy to fall into depression and leave everything behind," says the Brazilian, encouraging other colleagues to take advantage of this help.

Difficult start at Barcelona
The attacking player has now settled in at FC Barcelona. Under coach Hansi Flick, he has even been named one of the team captains. In the league match against Real Valladolid on Saturday, the Brazilian also shone with a treble. 

But things didn't run smoothly between Raphinha and Barca right from the start. Have I thought about leaving? Yes. The first six months were complicated for me and my family. After the World Cup, I felt better and I was able to finish the season well. I was calmer, but it was quite difficult at the beginning," admits Raphinha. Now he can no longer imagine saying goodbye.