The fortunes of Leeds United and Raphinha have gone in vastly different directions since the Brazilian played for the club.
To the point that many football fans are often left asking when they see him in action: “Did Raphinha play for Leeds United?”
He certainly did. Raphinha moved to Elland Road in October 2020 – with the transfer window extend during the pandemic – in a £17m transfer from Rennes.
It’s a fee that Leeds made a hefty profit on just two 18-months later when they sold Raphinha to Barcelona for £55m. He has gone on to become one of their most important players.
Raphinha has a massive 47 goals and 45 assists in 129 games, as well as a La Liga winners’ medal. He has even captained the famous club and is in the leadership group.
With 27 goals and 20 assists to his name already this season, Raphinha is now a serious contender to win the Ballon d’Or and it’s hard to believe Leeds ever managed to sign a player of his immense quality.
But two legends of the game helped make it happen.
Barcelona great Deco introduced Raphinha to Leeds
Back in 2020, former Barcelona and Chelsea playmaker Deco was Raphinha’s agent and he was the one who informed him of Leeds’ interest.
Though Raphinha later admitted he nearly rejected Leeds, the now 28-year-old dreamed of playing in the Premier League, so he decided to join.
When asked why he wanted to join Leeds in his first interview with the club, Raphinha said: “Deco told me about the club’s interest in me and that made me really happy that the club was interested in my football, in my work.
“And I believe like any other player, would immediately want to come to the Premier League, the best league in the world.
“I’m very satisfied to come here and make this dream come true to play in the Premier League.”
The pair now work together again at the Camp Nou as Deco was appointed Barcelona’s Sporting Director in 2023.
Marcelo Bielsa was a big reason for Raphinha choosing Leeds
In that same interview, Raphinha spoke glowingly of the high-octane football the club played at the time, thanks to their legendary manager Marcelo Bielsa.
Working with the infamous Argentine was another big reason Raphinha opted to move to Yorkshire.
Raphinha added: “Before I came here, I’d spoken to other players about him [Bielsa] and they said he’s a really, really demanding coach and that’s something I like.
“I like working with demanding coaches that can really get the best out of me.
“I look forward to working on my football with a coach that can really get the best out of his players.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to be here working with him.”
So that’s how one of the most in-form players on the planet ended up at Leeds United.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
