At a glance
- Raphinha isn’t happy with reports that he’s been contemplating his future at FC Barcelona.
- “I think people don’t like to see me here” the Brazilian said.
- Furthermore, he accused one reporter of being one “who only lies”.
FC Barcelona winger Raphinha hit back at reports claiming he’s thinking about leaving the club during an interview with ESPN.
The weekend saw SPORT and its journalist that covers Brazil, Joaquim Piera, do just that. In an angry speech, however, Raphinha attempted to put the record straight and attacked Piera without naming him explicitly.
“Since I arrived at Barcelona, from day one there has been speculation about my departure from the club. I think people don’t like to see me here. Especially the press… there is one who only lies,” Raphinha balked.
“The journalist who wrote that article has also written other things about me that were lies. He said I met with the club, that I spoke internally about my indecision. That I didn’t know if I would continue or not. That guy only lies. Every time he publishes some news that he has to omit, it is always or almost always very irrelevant things that come out of his mouth,” Raphinha added.
Raphinha wants to wrap up the league for Barcelona in El Clasico
Recovering from a hamstring injury, Raphinha wants to seal a third La Liga title in four years during El Clasico on Sunday.
“To be honest, the special thing for me is to win La Liga, regardless of the opponent. For the fans, for those who have been at the club longer, it is something very special to be able to win against our biggest rival,” he said about the match with Real Madrid.
“But, for me, the most important thing is to win the league. If it has to be against them (Real Madrid), even better,” he noted.
With Fermin Lopez, Gavi and Marcus Rashford all starting on the left in his absence, Raphinha’s place in the starting XI at the Spotify Camp Nou isn’t guaranteed.
Given he didn’t feature at Osasuna last weekend, it’s most likely Hansi Flick gives him a 20 minute run towards the end, depending on how the Clasico is going.
In any event, Rapha is bound to get a standing ovation from the Spotify Camp Nou that adores his fighting spirit.
