Barcelona, and perhaps more specifically the media around the club, are finally starting to fully appreciate Raphinha. Since he was signed from Leeds United, for around €55m in 2022, there’s been endless claims about selling him back to the Premier League.
There appeared to be an ongoing assumption that Barcelona would sooner or later be handed the chance to make a big profit, and it felt that was part of the reason he was signed from Leeds United in the first place.
However, the market changed a little and with PSR worries, Newcastle United, who had been presented as the most likely destination, never looked a serious option at the prices being quoted.
Raphinha himself had no intention of leaving the Camp Nou, so just kept his head down and continued to give his all. He’s now on the verge of making his 100th appearance for Barcelona and is a vice captain at the club.
Wednesday’s edition of Marca presents his move to Leeds United as something of a genius transfer decision by Victor Orta.
Marca say he moved to Elland Road for around €15m, although claims at the time put the amount sent to Rennes at closer to €20m.
The Spanish newspaper says if Orta were to be asked the standout qualities Raphinha has, he’d reply it’s that the Brazilian attacker just loves to train.
Marca even call Raphinha ‘the most underrated Brazilian in the history of Barca’, and state: ‘In the scouting department of the English club, the Brazilian’s defensive ratios were always much more surprising than his offensive ones. Stereotypes invite us to think of very skilled Brazilian players, but little applied in defensive matters. This is not the case. He was one of the most intense players in the entire Premier League, with enormous efforts at high speed and his current version at Barcelona, covering more ground and with bomb-proof confidence, invites us to think that he is returning to being that total footballer.’
