Angry Barcelona Fans Claim They Have Been ‘Scammed’ After Raphinha’s Poor Display Against Girona

• Recently-crowned Spanish Super Cup champions FC Barcelona continue its impregnable form since the start of 2023
• The Catalan giants pipped Girona to stretch their lead at the top of La Liga
• However, fans of the club singled out one player for criticism

Barcelona fans were left with a bitter taste in their mouth from their game against Girona despite sealing a narrow win.

Substitute Pedri Gonzalez scored the match-winning goal to stretch Barcelona's lead at the summit of the league table.

The victory over Girona means the newly-crowned Spanish Super Cup winners are now 13 straight games unbeaten in all competitions, BBC reports.

Despite the positive nature of their match day 18 fixture, a number of fans registered their displeasure with winger Raphinha.

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The Brazil international joined the Blaugrana last summer and has since had a slow start to life at Camp Nou, producing sub-par performances - a pale shadow of his sterling displays for Leeds United last season.

Venting their spleen at his recent poor showing, fans took to social media to lament about the 26-year-old forward.

Below are some of the comments from social media:

@Incokneeto wrote:

"Arsenal missed a serious bullet, by not getting Raphinha."

Another user @dearatorres claimed Barcelona might have been scammed:

"Raphinha, Leeds scammed us big time."

Sharing in the same sentiments as @Incokneeto and @dearatorres, @Agyeiwaa_1 lamented:

"He can’t dribble, he’s very dull and his ball control too is very bad, like what at all can that Raphinha guy do that we’re still keeping him?"

An avid Barcelona fan @the_berneese_ added:

"We just over-expected so much from Raphinha…he’s underrated mehnn."

@G5Clinton quizzed:

"Why did we hijack Raphinha from Chelsea?"

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Barca seals hard-fought win

Barcelona midfielder Pedri Gonzalez earned his side a tense 1-0 Catalan derby victory at Girona on Saturday, opening a six-point gap ahead of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

With Carlo Ancelotti's side hosting high-flying Real Sociedad on Sunday, Barca put their rivals under pressure to get a result and keep up with them in the title race.

Pedri netted the only goal from close range after an hour at an icy Montilivi on his 100th appearance for Barcelona, after replacing the injured Ousmane Dembele.

Xavi endorses Raphinha stay

Sports Brief earlier reported that Raphinha’s first season with Barcelona may not be going as expected but manager Xavi is not giving up yet on the Brazilian winger’s ability to turn his fortunes around.

Speculations suggest Barcelona are looking to offload the 25-year-old winger with English Premier League table toppers Arsenal interested in signing the struggling winger.

Xavi insists Raphinha will be pivotal for Barcelona in the future as he confirmed the winger will not be sold in January or anytime soon by the Catalan club.