FC Barcelona Star Raphinha Fires Back At Fan’s ‘Lack Of Respect’

FC Barcelona star Raphinha fired back at what he called a "lack of respect" from one of the club's fans over the summer.

During the most recent and now closed transfer window, Barca were heavily linked to Spain winger Nico Williams.

A social media fan and popular influencer wasted no time jumping the gun and getting Nico's name put on a then-new Barca shirt with Raphinha's number 11, yet the potential move ultimately failed to come off because of a cash-strapped Barca's failure to raise Nico's Athletic Club release clause which exceeded $60 million.

Asked about the furore during a prematch press conference to preview the Catalans' Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich, Raphinha, who commented on the post in question with a multitude of crying-with-laughter emojis, said "it was a joke in bad taste".

"It was a bit of a lack of respect for my work. It was their opinion, but it was a lack of respect," Raphinha added, though he did acknowledge that people are free to put whichever number and name they want on a shirt.

All this considered, Raphinha denied that being written off and having his spot threatened by Nico "was not a special reason" for him to begin the 2024/2025 season as he has in the form of his life.

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"It was not a special reason for me to start as I started, but the desire I had to do my best for the club was. I started the season knowing that, to play for this club, I had to adapt to other positions and another way of playing," he explained, after losing his right wing berth to Lamine Yamal yet thriving on the left or more centrally.

"The change [in his form] is a bit mental and a little tactical, but it's also very important for me the confidence that the coach gives me, that the players give me and how they try to help me.

"After three seasons at the club I am willing to learn a little more, whether with the veterans or with the youngsters," Raphinha also said, noting that his mentality now is different to that which he arrived at the club with following his 2022 transfer from Leeds United.

On being chosen as one of four captains, Raphinha said that it is a huge source of pride "to wear the armband".

"I think that being a captain is not only wearing the armband on the field, but also inside the dressing room: helping the team in everything you can, the veterans and the youngsters, listening to them, seeing if people are good or bad, if they need anything. I just try to help everyone in any way I can. I'm always available," explained a popular figure in the dressing room.

Now one of Barca's most important players, Raphinha is almost certain to start key games against Bayern and Real Madrid this week.