Tensions Flare Between Madridista and Culé During International Duty
International breaks often make clubs uneasy—not just because of potential injuries but also due to the inevitable clashes between rivals now playing on the same team. This was evident once again in the latest Brazil-Colombia match, where tensions between Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior and Barcelona’s Raphinha briefly stole the spotlight.
Vinícius and Raphinha’s Heated Exchange
The match saw Vinícius play a crucial role in Brazil’s victory, delivering an impressive performance. However, he nearly made headlines for an entirely different reason.
After Raphinha scored Brazil’s second goal in stoppage time, sealing the 2-1 win, the Barcelona winger was substituted. In a typical time-wasting tactic, Vinícius attempted to slow down his exit from the pitch, frustrating both the Colombian players and the referee, who urged him to leave quickly.
While such incidents are common in football, the fact that it involved a Real Madrid and Barcelona player added an extra layer of intrigue, reminding fans of the intense club rivalry that sometimes carries over to the international stage.
Raphinha Steps In to Prevent Trouble for Vinícius
Amidst the heated moments, Raphinha intervened to defuse a potential issue between Vinícius Júnior and the referee. As Vinícius attempted to slow down his exit from the field, Raphinha gave him a slight push to urge him off and prevent any unnecessary risks. When the Madrid forward turned to protest, the Barcelona winger once again stepped in to calm the situation.
Vinícius’ Importance to Brazil and Raphinha’s Protective Move
Brazil’s victory over Colombia was crucial to maintaining their position in the standings, especially with Uruguay and Ecuador yet to play. Currently second in the table, the Canarinha need every point to secure their path to the 2026 World Cup without complications.
Understanding this, Raphinha likely wanted to ensure that Vinícius didn’t receive a disciplinary sanction that could rule him out of the upcoming clash against Argentina. Losing their star forward ahead of such a crucial fixture would be a major setback for Brazil.
Vinícius was instrumental in the win against Colombia, winning the penalty that led to the opening goal and later scoring the decisive 2-1 strike in the 98th minute. With such a key role in Brazil’s attack, keeping him available for the Argentina match is a priority, making Raphinha’s intervention a smart move for the team’s overall success.
