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'He should have seen Lionel Messi' - Ex-Brazil star slams 'very bad' Raphinha for 'disrespecting' Argentina with ‘f*ck them’ quip ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifier

<p>Two old adversaries are set to lock horns in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Tuesday. The current holders of a global crown will be without eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi for that contest, as the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/sad-lionel-messi-breaks-silence-withdrawal-argentina-squad-inter-miami-superstar-emotional-update-injury/bltf17bbb282f4a15d1" target="_blank">Inter Miami talisman was forced to withdraw through injury</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Raphinha has stated that Messi’s absence gives Brazil more of a chance in a crucial contest, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ballon-dor-2025-power-rankings/bltd009fae5576d751f" target="_blank">the 2025 Golden Ball contender</a> saying that he will be giving “everything” to score against arch-rivals. He <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/raphinha-rallying-call-brazil-showdown-argentina-barcelona-vows-score-lionel-messi-absence/blt31cc78499c4ad71e#cs2e97fddb2196c4c3" target="_blank">signed off a conversation with Romario with a “f*ck them” quip</a> as the Selecao ready themselves for battle.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The 28-year-old is understandably fired up for another grudge match, but has been told that he needs to think carefully about what he says in public. Ex-Brazil international Paulo Silas has told <a href="https://x.com/radiolared/status/1904303369893691566 " target="_blank"><em>Radio La Red</em></a> when asked for his take on Raphinha’s comments: “It was disrespectful of that kid. He should have seen Messi here when he won the Copa America and didn't let his team-mates sing against Brazil because of the friendship he has with Neymar and the respect.”</p>

WHAT PAULO SILAS SAID

<p>Silas, who won 34 caps for his country and represented them at the 1986 and 1990 World Cup finals, added: “Raphinha was very bad. Brazil should not do it if they were above Argentina and now that they are not either. Football does not look the way he said it. I don't know what message he wanted to pass, but you don't win before you play a game.”</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Brazil are currently <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/south-america-world-cup-2026-qualifying-fixtures-results-table-watch/blt4abc8e617b37b53c" target="_blank">sat third in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualification table, seven points adrift of leaders Argentina</a>. They will be without their own enigmatic leader on Tuesday, with all-time leading goalscorer Neymar also being ruled out with a knock.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

'He should have seen Lionel Messi' - Ex-Brazil star slams 'very bad' Raphinha for 'disrespecting' Argentina with ‘f*ck them’ quip ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifier | Goal.com

Raphinha has seen his “very bad” behaviour questioned by a former Brazil star, with the Barcelona forward accused of “disrespecting” Argentina.

&apos;He should have seen Lionel Messi&apos; - Ex-Brazil star slams &apos;very bad&apos; Raphinha for &apos;disrespecting&apos; Argentina with ‘f*ck them’ quip ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifier