Barcelona summer signing being heavily criticized in dressing room due to underwhelming performances and bad attitude - Reports
Raphinha is reportedly being heavily lambasted in Barcelona's dressing room due to his underwhelming performances and poor attitude.
The Brazilian winger arrived at the Camp Nou last summer for €65 million including add-ons. He has been handed playing time rather easily under Xavi Hernandez, especially in 2023 due to Ousmane Dembele's injury in late January.
However, Raphinha hasn't made a difference when Barcelona have needed him to, especially in the former Borussia Dortmund winger's absence. A tally of nine goals and ten assists in 43 games across competitions this season makes for a decent read, but the Blaugrana are unhappy with his inconsistency.
They want the former Leeds United winger to be better. What's also not helping his case is his attitude on the pitch. According to El Nacional, those in Barca's dressing room don't appreciate his frequent displays of frustration and his outbursts on the pitch.
Raphinha is expected to be forced out of Xavi's line-up once Dembele returns from injury. He's also said to be among the list of players Barcelona are likely to sell in the summer to raise cash for Lionel Messi's potential return.
The 26-year-old's most recent display was subpar, as he failed to make a tangible impact in a 2-1 La Liga loss against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday (April 26).
Barcelona boss says Rayo Vallecano deserved win
Barcelona are on course to win their first league title in four years. However, their performance in the 2-1 loss against Rayo Vallecano in midweek was not that of potential champions.
Despite keeping just 39% possession at home, Vallecano managed more shots on target (6) than the Blaugrana (5). They made their chances count and led Barca by two goals before Robert Lewandowski's consolation strike in the 83rd minute.
Manager Xavi Hernandez admitted that the hosts deserved the win (via BarcaUniversal):
"The positive thing is that we are closer to winning La Liga, but we have not played a good game; we have not been comfortable. They have been intense and deserved the win."
The Blaugrana have 76 points from 31 games and have an 11-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid. Barring a catastrophic capitulation, they're expected to win the league.