Cafu Weighs in on Clásico’s Controversial “Ghost Goal”: “In My View, It Was a Goal

The controversies from the Clásico have left no one indifferent. Real Madrid defeated Barça 3-2 at the Santiago Bernabéu, but not without several scandals during the 90 minutes. Overlooked red cards, dubious penalties with different standards, and the most talked-about incident of the night: Lamine’s ghost goal that Lunin saved from inside the goalpost. In this context, at the Laureus Awards, the legendary former footballer Cafu shared his perspective: “In my view, it was a goal. It’s clear that when he saves it, it’s practically inside. But for the VAR’s decision, the referee’s, the linesman’s… for them, it wasn’t,” the Brazilian pointed out to SPORT and other media at the event.

Cafu also highlighted the sporting level of the Clásico: “It was a great game. The amount of play they propose is impressive. For those of us who love football, it’s sensational,” he remarked. He also found time to joke about Lucas Vázquez’s nickname “Cafucas”: “It’s very gratifying that people know him by my name in football. He had an exceptional game. He’s a young man who is very successful. Madrid is very strong in that position, both with Lucas and Carvajal,” he added.

“The World Has Racism Issues” Cafu was also asked if he saw Spain as a racist country. “No,” he replied. “The world has racism problems. Not only Spain, not only Brazil, not only Germany… it’s a cultural issue. We have to educate people, children, to live without discrimination, without violence, without racism, in order to live in a peaceful society,” he explained.

He also responded to whether Vinicius deserved the Laureus for his footballing year. “Every great Brazilian player would deserve the Laureus. Vinicius is standing out and gaining experience, which is the most important thing,” he explained, also taking a stance on Cubarsí’s controversial penalty in the Clásico: “For me, it was a penalty. And it was a goal.”