Leeds United have had their fair share of social media blunders and viral moments for the right reasons as well.
From the Leeds United salute badge to ‘Don’t go to bed just yet… there is still work to be done’ and everything else in between, it’s fair to say that they are a club full of drama.
They won the title with the final kick of a ball away against Plymouth Argyle just mere months ago, and the next dramatic moment never seems to be too far away.
One of the best moments came with Leeds ridiculing themselves for that transfer deadline day post from 2014 telling fans to remain awake, with Matt Smith and Dom Poleon then sold without replacements arriving.
The iconic Raphinha fish and chips announcement at Leeds
The best player in Leeds’ recent history is, of course, Raphinha. However, the Brazilian’s unveiling at Leeds was based around a hilarious moment on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
That’s because of the fact some of the Stade Rennais fans being particularly irate that their star player was leaving Champions League football for a newly-promoted club, with one embarking on a tirade that criticised the move.
Of course, there was a delay to the 2019/20 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which then meant the summer transfer window did not close until early October. The above from LUFCDATA shows as much.
However, the fish and chips reference was due to that Twitter meltdown from the Rennes fan earlier in the day. Prior to the official confirmation of the transfer, one Rennes supporter was seemingly extremely agitated.
After just one season in France, Raphinha was allowed to leave the club. He was bemused at the fact Raphinha would leave ‘a great sporting challenge’ for a ‘second-rate club’ in a ‘fish and chips country’.
Of course, Leeds’ social media team took full advantage of this with the below. It was announced late into the night on the 5th of October at 10.15pm, but it went viral the day after.
The viral moment mocks Leeds themselves and the aforementioned Rennes fan, with the post gaining over 1,600 comments, over 5,800 reposts or quotes, and over 30,000 likes.
Quite fittingly, the transfer story which gained the most attention on social media also turned out to be the one which was Leeds’ biggest success. Raphinha shone under Marcelo Bielsa’s tutelage.
He signed for just £17 million from Rennes, which was a true masterstroke from Victor Orta and Bielsa.
Raphinha almost won the Ballon d’Or this year. But some players, like Jayden Bogle and Joel Piroe, know Raphinha is one of the world’s best now. It’s been five years and one day since he signed. Time flies!
Raphinha’s lasting legacy at Leeds United
Neymar disagreed with the Ballon d’Or decision with Raphinha after a simply sensational season from the Brazilian winger. It was more impressive than anything he did for Leeds, even with the winger dragging the Whites through games singlehandedly.
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 2020/21 | 31 | 6 | 9 |
| 2021/22 | 36 | 11 | 3 |
| Total | 67 | 17 | 12 |
Barcelona won the league and Raphinha repeated his Brentford crawl across the pitch in yet another iconic moment in his career. He has gone to another stratosphere with Barcelona since leaving the fish and chips country.
Raphinha was out of the ordinary with Leeds but Brazil’s star winger has credited Bielsa for his rise to true stardom on the world stage and in the Champions League since.
It’s a shame they didn’t get him longer, but the announcement and beyond was all part of a joyous ride for the fans of Leeds.
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