Seething Raphinha goes wild on Barcelona bench as he’s subbed minutes after scoring

On Feb 16, 2023

Raphinha was left seething on the Barcelona bench as he went wild after his fuming reaction to being substituted.

The Brazilian winger was visibly frustrated at seeing his number come up seven minutes after scoring an equaliser as he was taken off by manager Xavi in the 83rd minute of Thursday’s Europa League 2-2 draw with Manchester United. After being replaced by Ferran Torres, Raphinha was seen taking out his frustration on the Barcelona dugout.

Footage showed the former Leeds United star punching and kicking the seat in front of him after taking his place on the bench, despite his team-mates’ attempts to calm him down.

Such was the force of his assault on the seat in front of him, the cushion on the top of the chair was dislodged before Jordi Alba could stop Raphinha from booting it.

Xavi later commented on Raphinha’s antics as he spoke to the media after the match, explaining: “I understand Raphinha’s frustration, I was also angry when I used to be substituted. He apologised for it, but there was no need for that, I liked his desire to play and participate.”

Raphinha had been heavily involved as Barca played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with United in the first leg of their play-off round contest.

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Raphinha took out his anger on the seat in front of him

He assisted Marcos Alonso for the opening goal before Marcus Rashford equalised for the visitors. An own goal from Jules Kounde just minutes later then saw the Red Devils take the lead.

However, Raphinha was able to pull the home side level inside the final 15 minutes as his cross evaded everyone inside the box before beating David de Gea in the United goal.

The two sides will meet again in the second leg at Old Trafford next week, with the winners advancing to the last 16 of this season’s competition.

Raphinha joined Barcelona last summer, signing a five-year deal with the Spanish giants after arriving from Leeds in a deal worth more than £50million.

Since heading to Spain, the 26-year-old has scored seven goals and provided nine assists in 31 appearances across all competitions.