Raphinha has often paid tribute to Marcelo Bielsa as the man that helped him become the player he is today and the duo reunited before kick-off last night, two years after Bielsa’s Leeds United exit.
In the quarter-finals of Copa America, Bielsa’s Uruguay took on Raphinha and Brazil at the Allegiant Stadium in Nevada. Brazil were favourites but Uruguay have been excellent under the guidance of Bielsa.
Coming into the tournament, Bielsa had watched his Uruguay side win in matches against Brazil and even Argentina. Uruguay had won all three group games against Panama, Bolivia and then the United States.
Raphinha’s nation meanwhile had not been at their best, securing just five points of nine in the group stage. Former Leeds ace Raphinha did score in a 1-1 draw against Colombia, starting the last-eight clash.
Bielsa and Raphinha embrace before hotly-contested clash
It was a hectic match that saw Uruguay have the better chances but neither side able to open the scoring. Liverpool star Darwin Nunez has been excellent under Bielsa but he missed a golden chance early on.
Raphinha was then sent through on goal but could not get the ball past Sergio Rochet. The game turned when Nahitan Nandez was shown a red, but Uruguay held on as the game went to a penalty shootout.
Uruguay secured a surprise place in the semi-finals as Eder Militao and Douglas Luiz missed spot-kicks. A massive win for Bielsa and Uruguay but disappointment for Brazil and Raphinha, after a poor campaign.
Premier Sports covered the game and on their social media channels, they posted a video of Bielsa and Raphinha sharing a hug moments before kick-off as the former Leeds duo reunited before doing battle.
What Raphinha has said about Leeds legend Bielsa in the past
Bielsa was sacked by Leeds in February 2022 after three and a half season in charge, and a few months later, Raphinha joined Bielsa in leaving Elland Road as he secured a dream move to Barcelona for £55m.
Following that move to the Nou Camp, he told Mundo Deportivo that without Bielsa he would not have earned the transfer to Barcelona or become a part of the Brazil National Team. He owes it all to Bielsa.
“He helped me a lot from the first moment I arrived at Leeds. Always demands more, the best. He helped me get into the national team and Barca. If it wasn’t for his guidance I probably wouldn’t be here. He was an important person for me and for my career.”
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