Barcelona winger praises Real Madrid superstar: ‘Spectacular guy’

Barcelona star Raphinha recently shared his thoughts on Real Madrid and his fellow Brazilian, Vinicius Junior.

In his comments, Raphinha expressed his surprise at Real Madrid’s performance, suggesting that the team didn’t quite live up to expectations, despite having all the talent on paper.

He emphasised that football isn’t just about theories or strategies drawn up on paper; it is about what happens on the pitch. According to Raphinha, true preparation and good form only show during the game itself, not in pre-match analyses or predictions.

“Real Madrid? I’m surprised that they didn’t manage to do what, on paper, they should’ve done,” the Brazilian told RAC1. 

“But football is not theory, football is played on the pitch & that’s where it shows if you’re prepared and in good form,” he added.

Raphinha’s thoughts on Vinicius

Raphinha also spoke about his Brazilian compatriot, Vinicius Jr., highlighting the stark contrast between the player’s on-field persona and his off-field character.

“The Vinicius in matches is completely different from the Vinicius in person,” Raphinha noted. He described this difference as completely normal, pointing out that many players have a different side when they step onto the pitch.

On the field, Vinicius is known for his intensity, flair, and sometimes, his heated emotions. However, Raphinha was quick to praise Vinicius’s off-field personality, describing him as “a spectacular guy.”

“This is totally normal, there are many players like that. I tell everyone that Vini is a spectacular guy,” explained the Brazilian.

This duality in Vinicius’s character is not uncommon in the world of sports, where athletes often need to switch between their competitive mindset on the pitch and their personal lives away from it.

Raphinha’s words paint a picture of Vinicius as not just a talented footballer but also a good-natured person, a friend, and a respected teammate.