Of course people are more prone to be forgiving against talented players.
Alba and Suarez have been cunts all their careers, from young age, to prime, to decline.
It's when the decline hits when these antics become extra annoying.
When Suarez was playing like shit and still complaining to teammates, putting more energy on refs and opponents rather than improving himself, of course fans react they way we've been doing. Same with Rakitic, shit on pitch, shit off it.
Busi is at the same doorstep, pretty bad on the pitch. BUT he's quiet off it, he doesn't put gas on the fire. He's criticized by many, if not all, for his skills.
If he at this point starts complaining and shows arrogance, people will treat him the same way as Rakitic and Suarez.
Because first and foremost we judge players on their skills. Personality is secondary. If you have none of those, you're an easy target for double the amount of criticism.
No.
Your post sounds as if you or others dislike Rakitic a lot due to his arrogance.
But when Mats whined because Bravo was playing, people didn't take that as bad against him.
Do you know why?
Because he was YOUNG.
And youth and "he is young and has potential", "he could improve even more" and "we are set for the next 10 years" always win over older players.
So:
1. when Raki is arrogant = sell that whining bitch/cancer
2. when Mats is whining way more = well, he is young and has potential
How about partying?
1. when Rakitic is partying in Seville after Barca's match = look at this idiot
2. when Dembele is playing Ps4 and eating Big Macs at 04:00 in the morning = media is lying. They hate him for no reason.
3. when Arthur is smoking, snowboarding, getting STDs = media is lying.
Basically, on the first bad thing about Rakitic off field = all haters believe in the story and he is crucified.
When Dembele or Arthur made the same thing (off field tricky things) = the same people who crucified Rakitic after one thing, defended those two for months with replies = why do you believe in those stories? Media needs to write something. Or: they are hating poor guys for no reason. Sport/El Mundo have agenda against them.
Again, do you know why?
1. because if the player is young, he gets way more credit/defending from an average Barca's fan
2. if the player is from La Masia = add even more credit/defending
3. if the player possess some skills which resemble on Barca's DNA or something from Pep's days (for example, Arthur's press resistance) = players earns another 100 coins in the eyes of an average fan, and it will take Months of off field mistakes and Months of a horrible form until a young player will FINALLY lose credits.
On the other hand, an older guy is killed after 1-2 mistakes.
Just make a comparison:
Rikileaks crying for not playing
Mats crying for not playing
Rakitic crying for not playing
= who is the only one who got hate for crying?
And people will reply with some nonsense like: yeah, but Rakitic sucks as a player and Riki/Mats are awesome and they whined for a reason.
And that reply again comes from a viewpoint: each young player is overrated and an average fan gives them too much credit.
So, every young guy can make way more onfield mistakes and off field problems until a fan will finally lose faith in him, after roughly 18-24 of problems.