Hansi Flick explains the whole truth about Raphinha's punishment: 'It was a decision...'

Raphinha was one of the main protagonists in Barça-Valencia despite starting the match on the bench. He came on in the second half and scored a memorable brace, giving a decisive boost to Barça's attack. Alongside Fermín and Lewandowski, the Brazilian was one of the biggest attractions of the night at Johan Cruyff.

Even before the opening whistle, Raphinha's name had already been on everyone's lips. Although Ancelotti, Brazil's coach, had played Barça's number 11 in both warm-up matches for the 2026 World Cup, everything suggested he was going to start. However, to everyone's surprise, Hansi Flick left him on the bench.

Did Hansi Flick punish Raphinha?

After the starting line-up was announced, a rumor emerged: Raphinha had been punished by Flick for arriving late to the pre-match talk before Barça-Valencia. The commentators themselves speculated that this tardiness might have been enough reason to leave the Brazilian out of the starting eleven.

There was talk of similarities with previous cases in which Hansi Flick sanctioned players like Jules Koundé or Iñaki Peña for being late to pre-match technical talks. That discipline was a well-known part of the German coach's style.

Hansi Flick's explanation after the final whistle

However, after the match Hansi Flick offered another version. Raphinha's substitute role, the German coach explained, was a technical decision. Hansi Flick emphasized that he chose Roony Bardghji to start because "he's been training excellently and his mentality and attitude are absolutely fantastic."

In addition, Flick also admitted that Raphinha had just returned from a long trip with Brazil, with demanding matches and possible signs of fatigue. That situation was taken into account in the planning for the match against Valencia.

Therefore, Hansi Flick rules out the idea of disciplinary punishment. He clarifies that there is no sanction, nor any reprisal for being late, at least according to what has been stated publicly.

Raphinha remains essential

It's relevant to see this in its proper context: this isn't the first time Hansi Flick has left Raphinha on the bench for physical or recovery reasons. The German wants all players to be at 100% and will use rotations whenever he deems it appropriate.

Last year, in the final stretch, several key players in the locker room like Balde or Lewandowski ended up injured and missed the most important matches. With decisions like the one in Barça-Valencia, Hansi Flick is trying to make sure something like that doesn't happen again this season.