The Brazilian Seleção has not only lost a qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup against Argentina (4-1). She also suffered a moral camouflet, embodied by Raphinha.
The Barça striker, author of incendiary statements before the match – “We will crush them on the ground, and outside if necessary” -, totally disappeared during the meeting, triggering taunts of Argentinian supporters and anger of his family. A performance so weak that an icon of Brazilian football decided to get out of his silence to castigate him.
Raphinha continues to take it for his rank.
It is the old Ballon d'Or (1999) and Legend of Barça, Rivaldo, who pulled red balls on Raphinha in an interview with Betfair: “When you launch a declaration like that, you must have fire in your eyes, crush the opponent … not disappear! »The 2002 world champion continues, proclaiming: “He should have said that it would be a difficult match, not that they were going to crush Argentina. He spoke, but did nothing with the ball. »»
A violent charge, while Raphinha has hardly showed his advantage during this South American classic.
Raphinha-Neymar: the bad trial
If some Brazilian supporters already regret Neymar – injury package -, Rivaldo refuses any comparison. “”
Neymar has his faults, but he assumes in the yellow jersey. There, Raphinha lacked respect for the history of Brazil ”,
he insists. A criticism that is all the stronger since the 28 -year -old is struggling to be very efficient under the Auriverde tunic.
Back in Barcelona, Raphinha will quickly turn the page. Hansi Flick, the Barça coach, gives him total confidence, as evidenced by his 41 starts this season. Next challenge: face Girona in Liga this Sunday (9 p.m.), then Atlético Madrid in the semi-final return of the King Cup on April 2. Far from Brazilian controversies, the winger has a gold chance to answer … on the ground.
