The footage showed several kids being embraced by a cuddly squirrel mascot. Dressed in a red tracksuit, Gael gestures for a hug but the staff member stands up and the embrace doesn't happen
21:18, 06 Sep 2025Updated 21:32, 06 Sep 2025
Raphinha was furious
Raphinha was furious(Image: INSTAGRAM)
Barcelona footballer Raphinha has suggested Disneyland Paris ignored hugging his son but embraced "all the white children", in an explosive social media post. The Brazilian star called the mascots "disgraceful" as he shared a video which allegedly showed his child Gael being snubbed.
The footage showed several kids being embraced by a cuddly squirrel mascot. Dressed in a red tracksuit, Gael gestures for a hug but the staff member stands up.
The tot is seen patting the mascot's leg in an attempt to get their attention which is also ignored. In a third attempt, an adult carries Gael over to the mascot at chest height but still no hug comes.
Raphinha furiously wrote: "Your employees are a disgrace. You shouldn't treat people like that, especially a CHILD.
"You're supposed to make children happy, not snub a child. I prefer to say it was snubbing, to say nothing else. You're a disgrace."
The child was carried to the mascot
The child was carried to the mascot(Image: INSTAGRAM)
Indicating that the child's race played a role in his kid's upset, he wrote: "I understand the fatigue of those who work with this, but why were all the white children embraced and my son wasn't?"
Raphinha added: "I hate you, Disneyland... He just wanted a hello and a hug. Lucky for you, he doesn't get it. That employee is s*****."
The Daily Star has contacted Disneyland Paris.
Last month, a family alleged their dream Disney getaway was destroyed following an administrative blunder that resulted in their park passes being revoked. Sue Batters splashed out over £3,000 to surprise her two daughters and five grandsons with a three-day adventure at Disneyland Paris.
The all-inclusive package, arranged through Times and Travels UK, covered Eurostar transport, accommodation, and entry to both major theme parks – Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios. The 68-year-old explained that everything went smoothly until their final day, when their Disneyland passes abruptly ceased functioning and they discovered they had been terminated.
The Brazilian footballer was incensed
The Brazilian footballer was incensed(Image: Getty Images)
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She revealed: "I was in tears. My grandchildren kept asking me why I was crying. What are you supposed to do when you have five children who want to go to Disney? They did not understand why we could not get in.", reports the Mirror.
The London-based company has subsequently issued an apology and acknowledged that the day passes were terminated by its provider without warning. Sue, a resident of Allhallows, on the Hoo Peninsula, Kent, had initially harboured doubts about the package offer that appeared on her Facebook feed, as she wasn't acquainted with the travel agency.
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