Raphinha pleads with referee for protection during Barcelona's victory over Sevilla
Barcelona captain Raphinha was caught on camera urging referee Martinez Munuera to stop Sevilla's aggressive tactics during their La Liga encounter.
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During Barcelona's hard-fought victory against Sevilla, captain Raphinha took on a vocal leadership role, frequently approaching referee Martinez Munuera to express his frustration with the opposition's defensive approach. The Brazilian forward was adamant that the host's physical intensity crossed the line, putting his teammates at risk.
They’re going to break our backs. Try to be careful with the screens and holds. There comes a point when they’re going to break our backs. Once you call one or two fouls, they’ll stop doing it. Raphinha
The tension peaked during an altercation between Raphinha and Sevilla's Youssuf Fofana. The referee intervened to separate the players, reprimanding them both and famously remarking that their grappling was akin to "judo" rather than football. This incident highlights the physical nature of the contest and the referee's attempt to regain control.
This proactive stance reflects Raphinha's evolution as a leader within the squad. Now wearing the captain's armband, his influence is evident both in his vocal commands and his prolific scoring form, having netted 14 goals in just eight appearances this season. His contribution alongside Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez remains central to the team's success.
Looking ahead, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick faces the challenge of managing his captain's workload. As the league enters the international break, Raphinha is set for a grueling 34,000-kilometre round trip to Australia for international friendlies with Brazil, leaving the club hopeful that their talisman returns unscathed for the remainder of their campaign.