The strange reason behind Raphinha not starting against Cadiz

Photo by Siu Wu/picture alliance via Getty Images

Barcelona welcomed Manchester United at the Spotify Camp Nou in a bid to try and win a first-leg tie against Manchester United in order to cement their chances of getting a place in the last 16 of the Europa League.

The Catalan giants fell short of their previous performances and were forced to share spoils against a resilient team from Manchester in what was the Catalan’s worst defensive display this year.

However, according to reports from Mundo Deportivo, a rather funny tale has emerged as it is stated that Barcelona winger Raphinha got carried away by the anger of being a second-half substitute hence kicking a fridge and earning a sore foot as an aftermath of his infuriation.

The sore foot would hence rule out the Blaugrana winger as a starter against Cadiz and he would only feature as a second-half substitute in the Blaugrana’s 2-0 win at home to Cadiz.

Raphinha had pulled Barca level against Manchester United after a Jules Kounde own goal and he was having a good game before Xavi decided to substitute him, something that did not go well with the former Leeds man.

Raphinha has been one of the best players in the absence of the in-form Ousmane Dembele and the Brazilian will be keen not to pick up an injury from unnecessary situations, especially with the resurgence of Ferran Torres.

The Catalan giants went on to lose to Manchester United at Old Trafford courtesy of second-half strikes from Brazilian players Fred and Anthony, knocking the Spanish outfit out of the Europa League.

Raphinha now has his chance of leading the Blaugrana to domestic glory with both the league and Copa del Rey still within the reach of the Catalan giants. Xavi might as well hope the Brazilian winger kicks more balls in the net rather than kick a fridge.

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