FC Barcelona forward Raphinha blocked a move for Angel Di Maria by the club and has left president Joan Laporta and sporting director Mateu Alemany to regret paying €60mn ($63.5mn) for his transfer, according to a report.

Barca famously pulled an ‘economic leaver’ to land the Brazilian from Leeds United last summer after Chelsea first had an offer accepted for him.

In a season of ups and downs, however, it is said by El Nacional that Raphinha is not meeting expectations and living up to his price tag.

The Catalan digital newspaper claims there is “huge disappointment” with Raphinha at Camp Nou, with the “first to be very disgusted” by him head coach Xavi Hernandez.

In addition to putting on erratic and irregular form, Raphinha as also caused “huge anger” with his behaviour after being substituted towards the end of a Europa League playoff first leg against Manchester United a fortnight ago.

Raphinha provided an assist and scored the equalizer in the 2-2 draw but was hooked in the 82nd minute in favor of Ferran Torres. Failing to hide his rage, the 26-year-old threw a tantrum that saw him kick a drinks refrigerator and injure himself.

This paved the way to be snubbed in favor of Torres for the next La Liga outing against Cadiz. The Spain international was the MVP in the 2-0 win, and after Raphinha was disastrous in the second leg against United at Old Trafford where Barca crashed out 2-1 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate, Torres again got the nod for Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Almeria.

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It is said that Laporta and Alemany regret spending such money on Raphinha, and this is not just because of the high cost of the transfer during times of financial difficulties.

By going all in for the number ’22’, Barca missed out on Qatar 2022 World Cup winner Angel Di Maria.

Lionel Messi’s international teammate with Argentina was offered to the club, who ultimately turned him down and let him walk to Juventus.

Still performing at a high level at 35 years of age, as seen with his goal and assist in the World Cup final and his brace for the Italians in the Europa League last week, Di Maria could have played in various positions for Xavi at a time when injuries are rife and versatility is needed.

This ship has already sailed, however, and Di Maria is likely to head to the MLS at the end of the season where he could be joined by Messi.

Barca certainly missed a trick by missing out on Di Maria, who would have also inspired the younger members of the locker room.

While it is still too early to give up on Raphinha, he is again on a decline when Barca need him most at the business end of the 2022/2023 campaign and has not stepped up to the plate in Ousmane Dembele’s thigh knock absence.