Brazilian footballer Raphael Augusto who plays for the Bengaluru Football Club (FC) in the Indian Super League (ISL) has expressed disappointment at a banner that was held by fans from the rival Chennaiyin FC team on Sunday. Raphael was previously a Chennaiyin player himself for a period of over three years and he had become a fan favourite thanks to his match-winning goals. The footballer has helped Chennai win two ISL titles, the second of which was won against Bengaluru FC in the final in 2018. However, he signed with rival Bengaluru FC in team in August this year for a two-year period.
A match between the two teams on Sunday saw Chennaiyin fans holding a banner that read 'Snake into the team of Dolphins unreal combo'. Dolphins is a reference to the blue-jerseyed Bengaluru team. While the match saw the Bengaluru team cruise to a 3-0 win, the prominently-featured banner has left a bad taste for their midfielder.
In a Twitter thread on Monday, Raphael said that he had kept his sadness at leaving Chennaiyin under wraps for a long time, calling it one of the hardest moments of his life and career.
“When my departure from Chennaiyin FC was announced, I decided to keep the truth to myself but I cannot do that anymore. When I left CFC, I decided not to talk about the fact that I was sad. It was among the hardest moments of my life and career. But I had decided that I would be quiet, and that I would keep my respect for the club and its fans. But I read that I had 'decided to leave', that I was a 'snake'. Only God knows how difficult it was to read these things,” he wrote.
When my departure from Chennaiyin FC was announced, I decided to keep the truth to myself but I cannot do that anymore. When I left CFC, I decided not to talk about the fact that I was sad. It was among the hardest moments of my life and career.
— Raphael Augusto Santos (@Raphael_A12) November 11, 2019
Raphael said that he, along with his fellow Brazilian footballer Maílson Alves, had decided to remain quiet. He said that he was informed by a Chennaiyin FC fan that they were planning to travel to the game with a bad banner. Stating that behind any footballer or athlete there is an ordinary human being, Raphael wrote, “I was shocked. I couldn't believe that they would do something like this with me. Yesterday, when I was on the pitch, my teammates showed me that banner. They couldn't believe it, but I was not shocked anymore. I was just upset that something like this could happen.”
“I gave my heart and soul to Chennaiyin FC and I helped them fight to two titles during my time there. That they could do something like that to me, was for me, really upsetting.” he tweeted.
However, Raphael chose to respond with love to the fans who held the banner on Monday. “I once read that whatever love we have, we must give. So that's why, last night, when they were shouting bad things at me, I gave my love to them.” he wrote.
Thanking Bengaluru FC and its fans for their support, Raphael added, “And also, thank you to the Chennaiyin FC fans who, even after I left, continued to support me. That's the true meaning of being a 'fan' and a 'supporter'. And I will ALWAYS be grateful for that. I will not be speaking about this anymore, anywhere. But I just want everyone to know that, no matter what, or where, I will always try to be the best that I can be. I wish the best to Chennaiyin FC and to all their fans. Thank you!”