Raphinha once again showed unrestrainable anger and attitude issues last night against Betis, which is another big blow to Barca’s identity and unity. Since his return from Brazil, the No. 11 has not been the same on and off the pitch. Let’s break down this drama.
The Vini Jr. Syndrome Has Proven Contagious
Since Raphinha returned from the international break, he has made headlines through attitude theatrics more than performance. It seems like he has spent too much time with the Los Blancos number seven in Brazil. Raphinha’s fantastic season of 24 goals and 13 assists is appreciable, but he must remember that his Balon dor charge might slip away if he keeps this attitude.
Raphinha’s tantrums over refereeing decisions also disrupt team unity and Barca’s identity. Barca is a club built on ‘mes que un club’, and such actions tarnish the Catalan legacy. So, Raphinha should calm down for the sake of the club he claims to love so much.
Flick Protects Raphinha: But was it Worth it?
Hansi Flick tackled down questions regarding Raphinha’s meltdown with a joke. He said:
“He was yelling at me!”
However, I find this strange. Flick is a guy who has shown zero tolerance for indiscipline and these words do not reflect his personality. Maybe the German will confront him behind the cameras because Raphinha’s ego issues must not go unchecked.
Ter Stegen vs. Raphinha
Another heartbreaking scene yesterday for me was when Ter Stegen stepped in to defuse Raphinha’s rage, but the Brazilian even pushed the German back and kept confronting the referee. Ter Stegen embodies Barca’s values, which are quiet leadership, humility, and grit. However, Raphinha, in his anger, could not see what was right or wrong and pushed back the goalie with force.
Flick needs to sort this out because senior players deserve the utmost respect from juniors. Ter Stegen has been at Barca for more than a decade and is the skipper. The dressing room unity must be a top priority, and unchecked egos must be put to order. Let’s see how Flick handles the Raphinha situation.