Raphinha explains captain’s armband gesture for Lewandowski | OneFootball

FC Barcelona won their La Liga game last night, defeating Real Betis with a 3-1 scoreline. The Brazilian forward Raphinha was inarguably the difference-maker for the Blaugranes as he scored a brace to give his side the win.

Besides the goals, another highly notable event from the game was Raphinha giving the captain’s armband to Robert Lewandowski, as this game served as the Pole’s farewell from Spotify Camp Nou.

As Mundo Deportivo has reported, the Brazilian forward also talked to the media after the match, and spoke very highly of the Polish veteran, who is departing the Blaugrana club at the end of the season. In this regard, Raphinha said:

“Since he arrived at this club, he has contributed enormously with his work, his goals, his personality, and his experience. I think the fairest thing we could do today was this tribute for him. Obviously, we wanted him to score a goal, but it doesn’t matter. What matters is the affection all of us have for him. We are all grateful to have shared a dressing room with him.“

“He has been an example. Even without playing or getting minutes, he has always been an example. He worked incredibly hard. From the first day, the way he arrived until today, he has been the same person, the same hard worker. Having him in our team was a source of pride.”

The winger also opened up on how he decided on giving Lewandowski the armband:

Barcelona won all of their home games this season, and the Brazilian was already looking to repeat the feats of this season in the next one as well:

“Playing for this club, we always want to win every match, and being able to finish the season by winning every home game is spectacular. In front of our fans, it’s something incredible, and I think it was a spectacular season. We hope next season will be the same.”

Raphinha himself played a key role in his Barcelona team’s successes this season, and hopefully, he will be able to keep up his good form in the next season as well.