Brazilian legend and former Barcelona star Rivaldo has dismissed the recent accusations from Barcelona and its players regarding alleged referee bias in La Liga. He emphasized that refereeing errors against the Catalan club are not intentional and urged the team to focus on their objectives for the season.
Barcelona’s Complaints About Refereeing
Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently criticized La Liga referees following a disappointing draw against Getafe. Similarly, Barcelona winger Raphinha expressed frustration, claiming Champions League referees are “much better” than those in Spain.
Rivaldo, however, disagreed with these sentiments. Speaking to Marca, he said:
“It’s very dangerous to suggest that referees are favoring one team over another.”
The Brazilian noted that such complaints are common in football:
“When a referee or VAR makes a mistake, the team benefiting from it will never complain, but the other team always will.”
Refereeing Errors Are Part of the Game
Rivaldo acknowledged that errors are inevitable in football, and they can benefit any team, whether it’s Real Madrid or Barcelona:
“Mistakes will always happen and will favor any team. It’s part of football and officiating.”
He also reiterated his long-standing opposition to VAR, arguing that it has not eliminated errors but has instead made the game more complicated:
“I’ve always been against VAR because mistakes still happen, and the game becomes more complex.”
Focus on La Liga and Future Goals
With Barcelona securing a direct spot in the Champions League Round of 16, Rivaldo urged the team to maintain their composure and prioritize their remaining domestic campaign:
“The team needs to stay calm and plan for the rest of the season.”
Potential Reinforcements for Barcelona
Rivaldo also discussed potential signings, highlighting Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford as a valuable addition:
“Signing Rashford would provide more options for Xavi in this packed schedule of matches.”
Praise for Raphinha’s Leadership
Despite his critique of Raphinha’s comments on refereeing, Rivaldo praised the Brazilian winger’s talent and leadership qualities. He predicted that Raphinha, alongside Vinícius Júnior, would form a formidable attacking duo for Brazil in the 2026 World Cup:
“Raphinha is building his image as a leader for the Brazilian national team. He’s already a leader at Barcelona, a decisive player with a strong personality, and that will help him greatly with the national team.”
Conclusion
Rivaldo’s comments serve as a reminder for Barcelona to focus on their performances rather than external factors like refereeing. His confidence in players like Raphinha and his call for calm reflect his belief in the team’s ability to succeed, both domestically and in Europe.
