Raphinha is rapidly becoming a global star in football. Just three years ago, he was playing for Leeds United.
Raphinha is a player who Leeds United fans will remember for a long time. Signed from Rennes for £17million in 2020, the Brazilian international later netted the Whites £50million when he was snapped up by Barcelona in 2022.
In two Premier League seasons with the Whites, the now 28-year-old scored 17 goals in 65 games, leaving following the club’s relegation to the Championship under Sam Allardyce.
Since moving to Sain, Raphinha has gone from strength to strength, with this season being his most prolific with 13 goals and six assists in 24 La Liga games for the Catalan club.
Earlier in the season, Raphinha starred as Barcelona beat Real Madrid, with talk of the former Leeds United man even being in contention for a Ballon D’Or one day.
Raphinha almost rejected a move to Leeds United, it has since been revealed. But it’s clear that he still holds the club close to his heart.
Raphinha image shows Leeds United shirt in his house
Recently, Raphinha’s wide uploaded a picture of the player training at home, working out and staying in shape. In the background there were several shirts hanging up, including his shirts for Brazil, Sporting CP and others.
Then in the corner of the picture was a Leeds United shirt, seemingly signed by his former teammates at Elland Road.
Despite having left the club nearly three years ago now, it’s clear that Raphinha still reflects on his time at Leeds positively. Afterall, it was his spell in the Premier League with Leeds that set him up for a big money move to Spain with Barcelona, and laid the groundwork for his current success.
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What Hansi Flick thinks about Raphinha at Barcelona
Raphinha has had transfer interest in the last year or so, with links to Saudi Arabia often coming up and then going. But current Barca boss Hansi Flick is keen to keep Raphinha at the club, at least for the time being, with the Brazilian’s contract expiring in 2027.
And if the player keeps on scoring and assisting goals as he has done in this 2024/25 season then there’ll be two possible outcomes: more transfer interest, and more intent from Barcelona to keep the player for the long run.
Leeds United meanwhile could be back in the big time next season, with the Whites sitting in 1st place of the Championship table after their 2-1 win over Sunderland last time out.
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