Why Barcelona Chose Raphinha Over Antony in Pivotal 2022 Transfer

Former Barcelona sporting director Jordi Cruyff has shed light on a pivotal transfer decision from the summer of 2022, revealing why the club opted to sign Raphinha over Ajax star Antony for the crucial right-wing position. The choice was not merely tactical but was heavily dictated by the Catalan giants' restrictive financial circumstances.

Cruyff explained that the technical department faced a delicate dilemma, weighing the merits of the two distinct attacking profiles. Ultimately, the club's ongoing Financial Fair Play challenges meant that every major transaction had to be executed with strict long-term planning and cost-efficiency in mind.

"I remember there was a moment we wanted a winger, and we had to choose between Raphinha and Antony," Cruyff recalled. The choice was settled when the bidding war for the Brazilian winger from Ajax intensified dramatically.

Cruyff pointed directly to the escalating price tag as the decisive factor: "And when you have a fair play issue, of course, Antony in the end went for much more money than anybody expected." Antony eventually completed a high-profile move to Manchester United for a fee exceeding €95 million.

In contrast, Barcelona was able to secure Raphinha from Leeds United for a significantly lower—though still substantial—fee. This calculated decision allowed the club to acquire a proven attacking talent within their constrained budget, prioritizing financial sustainability over pursuing the more expensive target. Cruyff’s revelation underscores how financial limitations under the Spanish league's fair play rules dictated Barcelona’s squad evolution under manager Xavi, leading them to Raphinha as the most viable and responsible choice.