Despite the fact that Barcelona defeated Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday by a score of 4-0, one of their key players was nevertheless subjected to criticism for performing in a “greedy” manner throughout the victory.
During the first leg of the quarterfinals, the Blaugrana were victorious over the Bundesliga team. Robert Lewandowski scored two goals against his previous team, while Raphinha and Lamine Yamal both found the back of the net at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.
Raphinha continued his outstanding performance by scoring his 12th goal in the Champions League and his 28th goal across all competitions at the same time. He also assisted on two goals. Although the former Leeds United player is now in the running for the Ballon d’Or, the manner in which he scored his most recent goal has caused several fans and analysts to express their displeasure with him.
Raphinha stole the goal from Pau Cubarsi by slipping it in at the far post in the 25th minute. The header that Pau Cubarsi was about to take was almost certainly going to be successful.
The goal was upheld despite a close call, and Raphinha’s blushes were spared as a result of the video assistant referee (VAR) review that was performed to verify whether or not he had been offside prior to scoring.
Raphinha, on the other hand, was criticised for what can be described as “stealing” an opponent’s goal and getting away with it. Former Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman was the one who led the criticism.
According to McManaman, who was providing commentary for TNT Sports, “There’s no need for it, that’s the greed of the center-forward, the goalscorer, he wanted another goal.”
He is only onside, and he has managed to get away with it. I am completely clueless as to why he is attempting to insert that from that distance.
His vision encompasses the whole goal, and he is able to see the ball as it enters the net. Without a doubt, there is no requirement for it.
Despite the fact that he is not offside, you would go crazy if he took it. He was on the verge of sabotaging it. After Raphinha gets involved and snatches it on the line, it’s a wonderful goal till he gets involved.
Another fan chimed in on X and commented, “Raphinha snatching Cubarsi’s goal to boost his Ballon d’Or chances”, while his actions were also dubbed “unnecessary” and “disgraceful” by others.
Spanish daily MARCA did not pull any punches, with an article writing: “That’s something you just don’t do, especially not to a kid like Cubarsi, who was making his [first] Champions League goal.”
Raphinha has issued an apology for pilfering the goal from Barcelona.
The footage that was obtained during the game looked to show Cubarsi asking Raphinha if he had a touch on the ball, and the Brazilian player affirming that the goal was his as the two of them rushed away.
After the victory, Raphinha addressed the topic and disclosed that he had expressed his regret to his younger teammate about the incident.
During an interview with the media, Raphinha stated, “I was concerned about being offside.” I apologised to him and informed him that I would consider it as an assist. I also told him that I had touched the ball earlier. I am here to help you score goals, which is what I want to do. I was unsure as to whether or not it was going to be accepted.
xz
