Barcelona's Raphinha Voices Support for Vinicius Amid Racism Concerns as Espanyol Clash Awaits in La Liga Derby

Barcelona winger Raphinha has expressed his support for Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr., who has faced racist abuse during games.

In a recent interview, Raphinha conveyed empathy for Vinicius, acknowledging the emotional toll of such offensive chants. "I understand when Vinicius Jr. is sad about the racist chants. This kind of thing pushes people to the limit," he said.

Meanwhile, Barcelona prepares for a major fixture this weekend, taking on Espanyol in a city derby on Sunday, November 3. Scheduled for a 4:15 PM kickoff at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, this La Liga match will be Barcelona’s 12th of the season. The derby comes at a critical time for the team as they aim to continue their strong league form and secure top standings. Espanyol, meanwhile, will look to disrupt their rival’s momentum and turn their own season around.

This match brings added excitement and intensity to Barcelona's season as they balance domestic league ambitions with their Champions League schedule. Following the derby, they are set to face Crvena Zvezda in an away Champions League game on November 6.