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3 weeks ago
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During the recent El Clasico, where Barcelona triumphed over Real Madrid 4-0, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Ansu Fati faced harsh verbal abuse from the crowd.
Despite the intensity of the situation, the players chose to continue the match. Raphinha later discussed this in an interview with El Pais, shedding light on the thought process behind not interrupting the game despite the provocation.
Raphinha explained that handling these insults is challenging but a necessary part of focusing on their roles as professional players.
“We’ve already talked about it, each person is different. Of course, it bothers you, we’re doing our job,” he began saying.
He admitted that hearing personal insults that cross the line is more difficult to ignore, particularly when aimed at deeply personal matters.
“We know that the other team’s fans can try to do everything to make things not go well for you and that we have to be focused, but when they insult you and those insults are taken in another direction, it’s more complicated.”
Although he and Lamine Yamal only partially understood the words thrown at them, Ansu Fati comprehended the insults directed at him fully, which had a more profound effect on him.
“I spoke to Ansu afterwards and he told us what had happened to him. He was sadder. Lamine and I heard that they were saying things to us, but we didn’t understand exactly what they said. But Ansu did understand it.”
After the match, the players reviewed videos and fully realised the severity of the insults hurled their way.
“After the game, we watched the videos and that’s when we realized what they had said to us,” he added.
On Vinicius, racism and Ballon d’Or
Raphinha explained the incident at Santiago Bernabeu. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Raphinha also mentioned that he sympathises with his fellow Brazilian, Vinicius Junior, who has often been the target of similar hostility.
Raphinha noted that Vinicius, usually known for his cheerful and playful nature, is especially affected by this type of negativity.
“We don’t know what happened in his childhood. We don’t know the things he heard when he was little. These things take people to their limits and he gets very upset about them. Vinicius is a very smiling guy, he’s always making jokes.”
While Raphinha understands why Vinicius reacts strongly to these situations, he acknowledges that everyone handles these challenges differently, especially given personal backgrounds and experiences.
“The only subject that bothers him a lot is this one, I understand his anger. But I’m not in his situation, so I can’t tell him what I would do in his place.”
In response to rumours that Vinicius had made bold declarations about winning the Ballon d’Or after the match, Raphinha clarified that their discussions usually veer away from football.
“Not really. After the match we meet up, but we try to talk about other things. In the end, we live football 24 hours a day and when we see each other we ask about our families, who know each other. We talk about life.”
Life at Barcelona and Deco
Raphinha revealed his struggles at Barcelona. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)
Reflecting on his own career, Raphinha shared the struggles he encountered since joining Barcelona from the Premier League.
His journey to the top has been anything but easy, particularly during his first six months at the club, when criticism was rife.
He revealed that there were times he felt out of place at Barcelona, as rumours circulated about his potential sale and claims that he wasn’t fit for the team.
“At times, yes. Especially during the first six months, before the World Cup. But I also felt it during the other windows. People were always saying one thing or another, that I was no good, that I should be sold.”
Despite this, he received consistent support from Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, and his close family members, who encouraged him to stay patient and stay true to his abilities.
“I get the same support from him as my parents and my wife. They told me to be patient. They were all calm, they knew what I could do on the field.
“But, in the end, it was me who was playing. And since I have very high standards, when things didn’t work out for me it was difficult,” he noted.
