Most Leeds United fans will be able to tell you what Raphinha is doing in a Barcelona shirt this season, but not many will be able to give you an update on Rodrigo Moreno.
But it was only three years ago in which Rodrigo and Raphinha were Leeds’ best two attacking options. Rodrigo scored 28 goals in 97 Leeds games during a three-year stint, netting 15 for Leeds in his final year.
Raphinha meanwhile, had a hand in 29 goals in 67 Leeds games. That form earned him a move to dream club Barcelona in the summer of 2022, after single-handedly keeping Leeds in the Premier League.
His agent at the time was Deco. Former Chelsea star Deco says Chelsea and Arsenal made better financial bids for Raphinha but the winger was hell-bent on completing a move to the Nou Camp, and he did.
Rodrigo Moreno shares Raphinha conversation about Chelsea
After two mediocre seasons at Barcelona, Raphinha has discovered new heights this season. The Brazil star helped Barcelona win the Copa Del Rey on Saturday, beating Real Madrid 3-2 after extra-time.
A whopping 53 goals and assists in 50 games, Raphinha could earn Leeds £10m if Barcelona win the Champions League. Rodrigo claims Raphinha told him Leeds wanted to sell him to Chelsea in 2022.
“Leeds preferred him to go to Chelsea, but he wanted to repeat the history of the Brazilians at Barcelona. He wanted to have that connection with Ronaldinho, Romario , or Neymar,” Rodrigo has told El Mundo.
Raphinha’s decision is paying off with Ballon d’Or in sight
Rodrigo is currently in the Middle East, leaving Leeds a year after Raphinha and initally joining Al-Rayyan. He has since gone on loan to Al-Gharafa in Qatar, where he has scored just two goals alongside Joselu.
Raphinha though, is on fire. He is on course to win the Ballon d’Or and that is not simply the view of LeedsUnited.News, but that of Thierry Henry. Arsenal legend Henry thinks Raphinha is the favourite for it.
Brazilian legend and 2002 World Cup-winning captain Cafu believes Raphinha deserves to win it, too. It shows that Raphinha made the right decision three years ago, to move to Barcelona rather than Chelsea.
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