Barcelona fans mistake record signing Kerolin for Raphinha as they seek photos

A humorous incident involving Barcelona supporters took place outside the club’s training base when some fans mistook women’s-team forward Kerolin Nicoli for men’s attacker Raphinha.

One supporter became angry after believing she had encountered Raphinha, and demanded that “Colin” stop for at least two minutes so those waiting could get autographs and photographs.

The confusion centred on Kerolin, the 26-year-old forward who plays for Barcelona’s women’s team. Although the fans appeared to think they were addressing Raphinha, the player outside the training base was Kerolin Nicoli.

Raphinha is a forward for Barcelona’s men’s side, while Kerolin represents the club’s women’s team. The incident therefore became an amusing example of mistaken identity among supporters hoping to meet one of the club’s players.

Kerolin is also a notable figure in Barcelona’s transfer history. She is the most expensive female footballer ever signed by the Catalan club, after Barcelona paid Manchester City about €1.5m for her.

Before that deal, Barcelona had never spent more than €1m on a single female player. Kerolin’s transfer therefore set a new club record, adding significance to the otherwise light-hearted episode outside the training base.

The supporters’ misunderstanding did not alter Kerolin’s status as one of Barcelona’s prominent women’s-team signings. Instead, the incident drew attention to the similarity between the player they expected to see and the player who was actually present.

For the fan who asked “Colin” to stop, the priority was securing a brief opportunity for autographs and photographs. The request was made on the assumption that the player was Raphinha, but it was Kerolin who found herself at the centre of the exchange.

Barcelona’s women’s team forward was consequently confused with a member of the men’s squad, despite the two players belonging to different teams within the club. The moment provided an unusual scene near the training base and highlighted the attention surrounding Barcelona players from both sides of the club.