Xavi Hernández says what many are thinking: he's better than Raphinha, there's no debate

Talking about Xavi Hernández means talking about one of the most influential figures in the recent history of FC Barcelona. As a player, he was the compass of the most dominant team of all time, the axis of the style that defined an era. His intelligence, passing accuracy, and understanding of the game made him an eternal symbol of the culé DNA.

After his retirement, Xavi decided to embark on a coaching career, first in Qatar and then at the club of his life. At Barça, he managed to restore hope to a fanbase that had lost trust after difficult years. As a coach, his greatest success was winning LaLiga 2022-23.

However, his second season in charge was very different. The results did not follow, the play lost freshness, and the gap with Real Madrid and other European giants became too obvious. In the end, Xavi had to leave through the back door, leaving mixed feelings among the fans.

Raphinha doesn't miss Xavi Hernández

One of the footballers who has changed the most since his departure has been Raphinha. The Brazilian, who arrived from Leeds United, never fully managed to convince Xavi. Despite his commitment and ability to unbalance, the Egarense coach did not consider him essential and frequently substituted him during matches.

Those decisions led to moments of tension. On more than one occasion, Raphinha expressed his frustration at being replaced, making clear the lack of connection between the two. However, with Hansi Flick's arrival, his performance has seen remarkable growth and he has regained the trust he needed.

Xavi Hernández puts Raphinha in his place

Now, interestingly, Xavi Hernández himself has once again put Raphinha in the media spotlight. In a viral challenge shared by tiktoker @reysa_b, the former culé coach was challenged to choose between several footballers in different comparisons. The dynamic, simple yet effective, has caused great buzz due to Xavi's choices.

However, the most talked-about moment of the video came when he faced the most unexpected question. Raphinha or Vitinha? Xavi did not hesitate and chose PSG's midfielder over Barça's winger. The answer, accompanied by a brief explanation, quickly went viral.

"That's a tough one, midfielders...", Xavi replied with a laugh. This way, he made it clear that his choice had more to do with his affinity for midfielders than with any devaluation of Raphinha. Even so, his words did not go unnoticed, especially among culé fans.

In any case, the debate is on. Xavi Hernández has made it clear that, from his purist vision of soccer, Vitinha is ahead of Raphinha. Although the Brazilian is now experiencing one of his best moments at Barça, it seems clear that for the former culé coach, midfielders will continue to be the true protagonists of the game.