Natalia Rodriguez Beleioli, the wife of Barcelona star Raphinha, has been subjected to a torrent of racist and sexist abuse on social media following Barcelona’s dramatic 5-4 victory over Benfica in the Champions League. Raphinha scored the decisive goal in the match, but the aftermath has been marred by appalling behavior from some rival fans.
Natalia Speaks Out Against Abuse
Taking to her social media accounts, Natalia shared screenshots of the hateful messages she received, shedding light on the disturbing level of harassment directed at her and her family.
“I rarely share such things, but this is just a small part of the attacks we face from some rival fans and others,” Natalia wrote on Instagram.
“This time, I decided to share it so people can see how sick this world is. I hadn’t even checked Instagram yet to see the racist attacks on my husband and son. But here they are for you to see how twisted this world can be.”
The Nature of the Abuse
The hateful messages included racist and sexist slurs, with Natalia being called a “Brazilian whore” and other derogatory names. One particularly vile accusation claimed that her child, a two-year-old boy, was fathered by another Barcelona player, Jules Koundé.
Other messages included death threats aimed at her son and husband, highlighting the extreme and dangerous nature of the harassment.
Immediate Backlash
After Natalia publicly exposed the abuse, several of the accounts responsible for sending the hateful messages were deleted. Her decision to go public has sparked widespread condemnation of the behavior and renewed calls for accountability in online spaces.
A Broader Issue in Football
This incident highlights the ongoing problem of racism and sexism in football, both on and off the pitch. Players and their families continue to face targeted harassment, often exacerbated by the anonymity of social media platforms.
Conclusion
Natalia Rodriguez’s bravery in speaking out against the abuse serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address toxic behavior in sports culture and online communities. It is a call to action for football authorities, clubs, and social media platforms to take stronger measures to protect players and their families from such vile attacks.
