Raphinha: Williams Barca shirts were disrespectful

Brazilian says he 'didn't like' gesture after Leeds defeat

Raphinha has said he found it "disrespectful" that Willian Jose wore a Barcelona shirt during Leeds United's 4-2 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday.

'Just focus on the game'

Willian Jose played the full match and scored Leeds' second goal against the Gunners. However, he then enflamed tensions by appearing to reveal a Barcelona shirt under his own jersey as he celebrated.

The gesture was seen as a reference to Raphinha's own links with Barcelona, with the Brazilian having been heavily linked with a move to the Camp Nou in recent months.

Raphinha, who has been part of the South American Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, was not impressed by Willian Jose's actions.

“I didn’t like it,” Raphinha told reporters.

“I think it was disrespectful to the club, to the fans, and to me. I just want to focus on the game and help the team win.”

The sense among some is that the veteran striker was attempting to unsettle the Brazil international, who has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards in the past year.

The fact that Raphinha has played at a high level throughout the past year and was part of an impressive Brazil World Cup qualifying run suggests he is mentally tough, and will be unmoved by Willian’s actions.