FC Barcelona star Raphinha fired back at what he called a “disrespect” from one of the club’s fans last summer.

During the most recent and now closed transfer window, Barca were closely linked with Spanish winger Nico Williams.

A social media fan and popular influencer wasted no time in having Nico’s name put on a then-new Barca shirt with Raphinha’s number 11, but the potential move ultimately did not materialize as cash-strapped Barca failed to acquire Nico’s to fetch. Release clause from Athletic Club that exceeded $60 million.

Asked about the fuss during a pre-match press conference to preview the Catalans’ Champions League clash with Bayern Munich, Raphinha, who responded to the post in question with a host of crying 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, although he acknowledged that people are free to put whatever song or name they want on a shirt. .

Taking all this into account, Raphinha denied that Nico’s write-off and threat to his place were “no special reason” for him to start the 2024/2025 season as he has been in the form of his life.

“It wasn’t a special reason for me to start the way 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 had to adapt to different positions and a different way of playing,” he explained, having lost his place on the right wing to Lamine Yamal but flourishing on the left or more centrally.

“The change (in his form) is a bit mental and a bit tactical, but for me it is also very important 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 ready to learn a little more, both from the veterans and from the youngsters,” Raphinha also said, noting that his mentality is now different from the one he came to the club with after his transfer in 2022. from Leeds United.

When Raphinha was chosen as one of the four captains, she said it is a huge source of pride “to wear the armband”.

“I think being captain means not only wearing the armband on the pitch, but also in the dressing room: helping the team with everything you can, the veterans and the young people, listening to them, seeing if people are good or are bad. if they need anything, I try to help everyone in any way I can, I am always available,” explained a popular figure in the locker room.

Raphinha, now one of Barca’s most important players, will almost certainly start important games against Bayern and Real Madrid this week.