Barcelona Star Raphinha Blasts Disneyland Paris Over Racist Treatment of His Young Son in Viral Video

Barcelona winger Raphinha has ignited global outrage after accusing Disneyland Paris of racism following what he described as a “disgraceful and heartbreaking” incident involving his young son, Gael. The Brazilian international, who is currently on duty with the national team, took to social media to call out the popular theme park after sharing a shocking video that has since gone viral, sparking heated conversations about discrimination in family entertainment spaces.

The clip shows Raphinha’s little boy standing eagerly with other children during a character meet-and-greet session at the amusement park. The mascot is seen giving hugs and warm embraces to several white children before abruptly ignoring Gael, who waited patiently with his family encouraging him to step forward. Instead of showing him the same warmth, the mascot turned away and walked off, leaving the child visibly disappointed. In the video, a relative is forced to carry Gael closer to the mascot for a brief, awkward interaction before walking away upset. The video spread like wildfire online, with many fans and parents expressing horror at the perceived intentional slight.

Fuming with anger, Raphinha blasted Disneyland Paris in a strongly worded post, describing the behavior of the employees as disgraceful. “Your employees are disgraceful. You shouldn’t treat people like this, especially a child. You’re supposed to make children happy, not ignore a child. I prefer to say ‘ignore’ rather than anything else. You’re a disgrace,” he wrote. He went further to allege that the incident was racially motivated, asking why every white child received hugs while his son was bypassed. “I understand the fatigue of those who work with this, but why did all the white children get hugs and not my son? I hate you, Disneyland. He just wanted a hello and a hug,” the 28-year-old star angrily added.

The footballer’s words have sent shockwaves far beyond the sports community, pushing Disneyland Paris into the center of a racial discrimination controversy that could seriously tarnish its image. Despite welcoming over 12 million visitors annually from across the globe, the theme park has remained silent on the matter, offering no official response to either Raphinha or the growing global criticism.

This isn’t the first time Disneyland has been accused of racial bias. In 2022, a Black family in the United States accused a Disneyland performer dressed as Princess Rapunzel of ignoring their daughter during a meet-and-greet session while engaging enthusiastically with white children. The case sparked heated debates about diversity and inclusivity within the entertainment industry. Last year, Disney tried to repair its image by introducing Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, an attraction celebrating Disney’s first Black princess, Princess Tiana, replacing the controversial Splash Mountain ride that had been criticized for its racial undertones. But Raphinha’s accusation threatens to reopen old wounds and push Disney into another public relations nightmare.

The timing of the controversy adds more weight to the issue. Raphinha is not just any footballer—he is one of Barcelona’s brightest stars, having joined from Leeds United in 2022 in a high-profile transfer. Since then, he has scored 34 goals in all competitions, playing a key role in Barcelona’s domestic treble triumph. His name is among the club’s four Ballon d’Or nominees this year, highlighting his growing influence both on and off the pitch. For a player of his caliber to publicly accuse Disneyland of racism is a reputational blow that Disney executives cannot afford to ignore.

Beyond his career in Spain, Raphinha also plays an important role for Brazil. Just days before the controversy, he featured in Brazil’s 3-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Chile and is expected to line up against South Korea before returning to Spain for Barcelona’s La Liga clash with Valencia. But while he continues to shine on the pitch, off it he has made headlines for a much more painful reason—defending the dignity of his son in the face of alleged racism.

Parents, fans, and anti-racism activists have flooded social media with messages of support for Raphinha and his family, while others have demanded accountability from Disneyland Paris. “If this happened to Raphinha’s son in broad daylight on camera, imagine how many other children experience the same treatment without anyone noticing,” one user wrote. Another comment read: “This isn’t about fatigue, this is about basic human decency. Every child deserves joy in a place that markets itself as the happiest place on earth.”

The outrage has reignited conversations about how entertainment venues handle diversity and whether enough is being done to train staff to recognize and eliminate racial bias. Critics argue that Disney’s commitment to inclusivity must go beyond building attractions and should reflect in the day-to-day behavior of its employees. Others note that this latest scandal underscores a wider societal problem in Europe, where racism remains an ugly reality even in spaces designed for family fun.

Raphinha’s anger is deeply personal, as he made it clear his only concern was the emotional well-being of his son, who left the encounter disheartened. “He just wanted a hello and a hug,” the star lamented, a line that has now been quoted countless times across headlines and fan pages worldwide. The simplicity of the request, contrasted with the gravity of the allegation, has struck a chord with millions, making it impossible for Disneyland to sweep the matter under the carpet.

The silence from Disneyland Paris so far is being interpreted by many as an admission of guilt or, at the very least, a failure to take the matter seriously. PR experts warn that the longer the park takes to respond, the more damaging the fallout could be for its brand. Disney has long prided itself on being a global ambassador of magic, joy, and inclusivity. Incidents like this directly undermine that reputation and risk alienating entire demographics who once saw the brand as a safe haven for children.

As the story continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Raphinha has not only defended his son but also forced one of the world’s most powerful entertainment companies to confront accusations that strike at the heart of its public image. The world now waits to see how Disneyland Paris responds—whether with denial, apology, or action. But until then, the viral video remains a painful reminder that even in the so-called happiest place on earth, racism can leave an innocent child without the hug he was waiting for.