Barcelona and Brazil forward, Raphinha, has accused Disneyland Paris of racism after alleging that one of the park’s mascots deliberately ignored his son, Gael, during a meet-and-greet session while warmly embracing white children.

 

The 28-year-old footballer, currently on international duty with Brazil, took to social media over the weekend to express outrage at what he described as a humiliating and “disgraceful” incident.

 

Raphinha shared videos showing his young son waiting patiently during a character interaction at the theme park. In the footage, the mascot can be seen bending down to hug several children in succession. However, when it was Gael’s turn, the character abruptly stood up and began to walk away, leaving the boy visibly overlooked.

 

Family members attempted to draw the mascot’s attention back to Gael, but the character failed to engage. Eventually, a relative lifted the boy towards the mascot, who gave only a brief and seemingly reluctant interaction before leaving.

 

The clip, now circulating widely online, triggered heated debates, with many fans and parents voicing frustration over what they perceived as discriminatory behavior.

 

In a strongly worded post, Raphinha condemned Disneyland Paris for the treatment his son received.

 

“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.

 

The winger went further, questioning whether race played a role in the snub.

 

“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.”

 

As of Sunday evening, Disneyland Paris had yet to issue an official response to the allegations. The resort, which attracts around 12 million visitors annually, has previously faced criticism over claims of racial bias.

 

In 2022, a family accused a staff member dressed as Princess Rapunzel of refusing to greet their Black daughter, while warmly embracing white children. Last year, the park introduced Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, its first attraction dedicated to a Black Disney princess, replacing the controversial Splash Mountain ride.

 

The latest incident has reignited conversations about inclusivity, representation, and racial sensitivity in entertainment spaces that are marketed as family-friendly and welcoming to all. Parents and advocates argue that a single discriminatory encounter can leave lasting emotional scars on young children.

 

Raphinha, who moved to Barcelona from Leeds United in 2022, has quickly become a key figure for the Catalan giants. He is among the club’s four Ballon d’Or nominees this year, following an impressive season in which he scored 34 goals across all competitions to help Barça clinch a domestic treble.

 

On the international stage, he played in Brazil’s 3-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Chile on Friday and is expected to feature against South Korea before returning to Spain for Barcelona’s upcoming La Liga clash with Valencia.

 

While Disneyland Paris has not commented, pressure is mounting on the resort to investigate the matter and issue a public explanation. The controversy also raises broader questions about how global brands handle issues of race, diversity, and child-centered customer experiences.

 

For Raphinha, the incident was not just about a disappointing theme park visit, it was, in his words, about the dignity of a child who deserved joy, not rejection