In a dramatic and slightly bizarre moment during Barcelona’s thrilling comeback against Celta Vigo, Marcos Alonso was caught on camera attempting to scuff up the penalty spot just before Raphinha stepped up to take his second-half penalty. Whether it was meant as a mind game, a superstition, or simply a distraction tactic, it certainly caught fansβ attention.
But what happened next only added to the drama:
Raphinha, completely unfazed, calmly slotted the penalty home with confidence and precision, adding to his already brilliant performance in the match. The goal contributed to his two-goal, one-assist masterclass that not only helped seal a 4-3 win for BarΓ§a, but also cemented his place in club historyβsurpassing Neymarβs best season tally with 53 goal contributions and counting.
Alonsoβs antics mightβve raised eyebrows, but Raphinhaβs coolness under pressure only further fueled the calls for his Ballon d’Or candidacy and underlined his status as one of the standout players of the season.
