The Spanish newspaper Marca has revealed a brewing tension between Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Brazilian winger Raphinha during the team’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia.
Despite the internal friction, Barcelona celebrated success by clinching the Spanish Super Cup, defeating Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals and delivering a resounding 5-0 victory over Real Madrid in the final.
According to Marca, the tension became evident when Raphinha approached Laporta for a conversation before the training session ahead of the Bilbao match. The exchange, which lasted over a minute, reportedly carried a tone of unease.
The newspaper suggested that the issue stemmed from Raphinha’s remarks about the challenges faced by players like Olmo and Pau Victor, implying that he might reconsider joining Barcelona under similar conditions if he were in their place.
The report further disclosed that Laporta has begun quietly exploring offers for the Brazilian winger, hinting at a potential transfer next summer. This move could be part of broader strategic considerations as the club evaluates its squad and financial priorities. However, this decision has not gone unnoticed, as it appears to have created a rift within the management.
German coach Xavi Hernández, who is considered a strong advocate for Raphinha, reportedly issued a stern warning to Laporta and the club’s management. Xavi has declared the player “untouchable” and threatened to leave Barcelona if any plans to sell Raphinha are pursued. This ultimatum underscores the coach’s reliance on the winger, who has been a key performer for the team this season.
The tension between Laporta and Raphinha highlights the complexities of managing a top-tier football club like Barcelona, where player decisions and management strategies must align with broader team goals and financial realities.
Whether this conflict will have long-term repercussions remains to be seen, but for now, Barcelona’s recent Super Cup triumph has provided a temporary reprieve from the challenges behind the scenes.
Leave a Reply