Watch: Barcelona forward ends feud with Atletico Madrid midfielder with classy gesture | OneFootball

Barcelona’s Copa del Rey semi-final second-leg victory over Atletico Madrid was a crucial step toward potential silverware, but for Raphinha, the match carried an extra layer of intensity.

The Brazilian winger, who has been in electric form this season, had personal reasons to deliver a standout performance against Diego Simeone’s men.

This motivation was a result of a fiery clash during a recent international encounter between Brazil and Argentina in Buenos Aires.

What’s the story?

It must be noted that during that match, the Barcelona forward found himself at the centre of controversy after being subjected to verbal taunts and physical shoves from Argentine players.

The tension escalated when Nicolas Tagliafico bumped into Raphinha with a forceful challenge, prompting the Barcelona forward to retaliate with a shove.

The incident quickly spiralled into a full-blown altercation, drawing players from both teams into the fray.

Among those who became heavily involved was Rodrigo De Paul, who later addressed the incident and the underlying tensions that triggered the scuffle.

Scores settled

Despite the heated nature of the exchange, Raphinha remained composed during Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid.

For what it is worth, though, the real surprise came after the final whistle when Raphinha and De Paul appeared to bury the hatchet.

The two were seen exchanging shirts in the dugout, a gesture that symbolised the end of their conflict and a newfound mutual respect.

For Barcelona, the victory was another positive stride forward and for Raphinha, it was a personal triumph that demonstrated his ability to channel his frustration into a powerful performance on the pitch.

More importantly, it showcased his maturity and willingness to leave disputes behind, focusing instead on helping Barcelona achieve their ambitious goals this season.