Barcelona striker Raphinha expressed anger over his lack of football matches under Xavi Hernández, saying he felt his former coach never showed any real confidence in him.

Raphinha, 28, has been a Ballon d'Or contender this year, but despite helping the Catalan Club win the Laliga title in 2023, he has played some roles under Xavi after joining Leeds United's Barça in 2022.

He often withdraws early in the game and even gets on the bench because of the game's starting seats at different times.

"I don't think the coaching staff has any confidence in me," Rafenha said in an interview with Isabela Pagliari's YouTube channel.

“I was there when there were no other (players), and I played for 90 minutes. I gave everything I could give and had an impact on the game, but when there was another (player) that I could play in my place, they picked them and didn’t even think about it.

“Sometimes, I do everything for 60 minutes and they take me away. There’s a famous video where I explode when I get to the bench and punch it.

"I think it's a game against Manchester United (in the Europa League in 2023). I did a great job. I scored and set a goal. I think that was 2-2 and they took me away.

"I just created a really good opportunity. I feel good and perform well. I'm the first player to take it away. I can't believe it."

Raphinha made 87 appearances in two seasons under Xavi, although his 27 outings were substitute, he completed only eight of them for 90 minutes.

The Brazil international said he talked to Xavi, who has been on vacation since leaving Barcelona last year but has not changed his mind.

"I tried to fix this," he added. "I had a few conversations with (Xavi) but I found that there was no difference. He had a way of thinking."

Raphinha then showed off his abilities since Xavi left, and his performance this season kept Barça in the treble of the final section of the season, and he was considered a possible Ballon d'Or title.

After scoring 20 goals in his first two years at the club, he has registered 31 goals this season under new coach Hansi Flick, slightly different on the left wing.

The goals came from 52 appearances, 48 ​​of which were starters, and he had already completed 90 minutes before Tuesday's Champions League semi-finals against San Siro's Internir Milan.

"He's a guy who looks for all the players, the players he's playing," Rafenha said of the approach Flick said.

"I really noticed that when Vitor Roque left. I was really moved by the way he handled it. He was more concerned about what was going on. He went to talk to the club to get to know the situation and talk to him (Roque)."