During their three-year stint in the Premier League from 2020-21 to 2022-23, Leeds United had several standout players, but one man in particular shone above the rest: Raphinha.
In 67 games for the club, the Brazilian winger made a significant impact, captivating fans with his direct play and skillful left foot.
Raphinha joined Leeds from Rennes for £17 million ahead of their return to the Premier League, bringing high expectations due to his impressive performances in France and Portugal. While fans couldn’t witness his first season at Elland Road in person due to Covid-19 restrictions, they were reintegrated into stadiums the following campaign, where Raphinha continued to dazzle and solidified his legacy before joining Barcelona in 2022.
Leeds’ return to the top flight was an immediate success, with Raphinha playing a crucial role under manager Marcelo Bielsa. Brilliant in possession, the winger complemented his skill with Bielsa’s demanding work ethic. Additionally, his prowess in dead-ball situations posed a constant threat to opponents.
Despite being left-footed, he effectively utilized his right foot, making him a highly unpredictable winger. Defenders struggled to anticipate whether he would take the ball down the line or cut inside for a shot.
Playing primarily on the right side of midfield, Raphinha made his first significant contribution with a 79th-minute winner against Everton at Goodison Park, striking a fizzing shot into the bottom right-hand corner past Jordan Pickford. Goals against Everton became a recurring feature of his time at Leeds, with the winger scoring two more in his next three fixtures against them.
Throughout the 2020-21 season, Raphinha continued to impress, finishing with six goals and nine assists, helping Leeds secure a ninth-place finish. The following year, Bielsa’s system was figured out by opponents, and Leeds struggled to match their previous points tally. This led to a managerial change, with Jesse Marsch taking over as head coach.
During this challenging campaign, Raphinha shouldered the responsibility of steering Leeds away from trouble, emerging as the main goalscoring threat amid Patrick Bamford’s injury woes. The Brazilian scored eight goals in his first sixteen games, justifying the trust Bielsa placed in him. However, as Leeds’ form dipped in January 2022, Raphinha’s contributions waned until Marsch took charge.
Despite this minor slump, Raphinha demonstrated his class on the final day of the season, ensuring Leeds’ Premier League status. With the club needing a win, he scored a crucial penalty in the 54th minute against Brentford, igniting wild celebrations among the traveling fans. Although Brentford equalized, Jack Harrison’s deflected volley secured a vital victory, with Raphinha climbing into the stands to celebrate with the supporters.
This moment with the fans marked Raphinha’s final act as a Leeds player before his £55 million transfer to Barcelona that summer. While he had performed well before joining Leeds, it was during his time at the club that he truly emerged as a top-tier player.
Raphinha’s 29 goal contributions over two seasons have only increased at Barcelona, where he has tallied a remarkable 45 in 87 appearances. He has also become a star for Brazil, scoring eight goals in 29 appearances for his national team.
For Leeds fans, Victor Orta’s acquisition of Raphinha stands as a monumental triumph. Despite making only 67 appearances, the Brazilian became a modern-day legend at the club. In the future, Leeds supporters will undoubtedly continue to wish him well and hope he reaches even greater heights in his career.
