Source: REUTERS/Pedro Nunes
[Saba Sports News] In a recent UEFA Champions League match, Barcelona defeated Benfica 5-4 away. In this match, Brazilian winger Raphinha Alcantara scored a decisive goal in stoppage time to help Barcelona secure the win. According to Spanish media, several Benfica players insulted Raphinha in the tunnel at the Estádio da Luz after the match, prompting immediate intervention from local police. Raphinha confirmed that several Benfica players made derogatory remarks after the game, leading to a very tense situation between the players on their way to the locker room. To prevent matters from escalating, the Portuguese police intervened immediately. Raphinha stated: “I respect everyone, but as I was leaving the pitch, someone verbally attacked me, and I immediately responded. I know I shouldn’t have done that, but I felt I had to retaliate. In the end, we all got emotional, and so did Benfica. They should understand the situation at that moment, yet they chose to insult me. I’m not someone who takes emotional baggage home with me; whatever they said, I made sure they heard it loud and clear. It’s over now; it’s part of football.”