Raphinha accuses Disneyland Paris of racism after mascot appears to ignore his son

Barcelona and Brazil forward Raphinha has accused Disneyland Paris of racism after posting footage on social media that appeared to show a mascot overlooking his two-year-old son while embracing other children.

The videos, which the player shared to his Instagram story this week, show several children being hugged by a costumed character while Raphinha's son, named Gael, stands to the side and gestures toward the mascot. One clip shows an unidentified adult carrying the boy closer in an apparent attempt to secure the character's attention, but the footage suggests the child did not receive the same interaction as other children in the group.

Raphinha, who is currently with Brazil on international duty and plays for Barcelona, used strong language in his post on social media. "Your employees are disgraceful," he wrote. "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."

The footage circulated widely online following the player's post, prompting discussion among supporters and on social media about the interaction captured in the videos. The player did not indicate in his post whether he had raised the matter with Disneyland Paris staff at the time or sought an internal response from the resort.

Raphinha, a winger who joined Barcelona in 2022, has been a regular subject of media coverage both for his performances on the field and his presence on social platforms. The incident comes as clubs and public venues face heightened scrutiny over how staff interact with visitors from diverse backgrounds.

As of publication, there was no public statement from Disneyland Paris addressing the video shared by Raphinha, and the club had not released a comment on the matter. Media organisations seeking comment from the resort and the club have not reported any immediate responses.

The video adds to a series of recent incidents in which public interactions involving high-profile athletes and their families have drawn rapid attention online, often prompting calls for inquiries or official explanations. Raphinha's post underscores how footage captured on personal devices can quickly shape public debate about behaviour in high-profile entertainment settings.

Readers should note that the clips show only a brief sequence of events and do not include an on-the-ground account from resort staff. Further detail may emerge if Disneyland Paris or Raphinha provide additional information or if either party issues a formal statement.