Earlier today, we covered part of Raphinha’s interview with ESPN Brasil, in which the midfielder explained his transfer to Leeds United.
Now we can bring some more interesting parts of this conversation, where the 23-year-old details his first months at Elland Road.
Following his move from Rennes in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Brazilian still hasn’t been able to have any real contact with the Leeds United fanbase.
“Football is a bit boring without fans, but it’s necessary,” Raphinha told ESPN Brasil.
“Whenever we’re leaving the stadium, some fans say goodbye to us on the streets. We’re instructed not to stop and take pictures, to avoid contamination. But I get a lot of affection from messages on Instagram, it’s really impressive.”
Raphinha talked about the work of Marcelo Bielsa and the ambitions that Leeds United have in the Premier League this season.
“He’s a guy focused on work, on what he has in mind about football. That knowledge he has, he always likes to share.
“His work is completely different from what I’ve learned to date. He’s a coach who’s thirsty to win. I always want to win, to be among the best. His way of wanting more always helped me in my decision.
“We don’t see a name (of the opposing club). We will always try to impose our pace, always attacking, pressing. Regardless of the team, we will always seek to enter as equals. If only to leave with a point. But that is our face today.
“Since Leeds have now returned from the second division, our goal is to stay in the Premier League. But sometimes, things end up happening in a way that also allows you to achieve other goals.”
Raphinha also talked about Leeds United’s dressing room. He was asked about the ‘resenha‘, which is a Portuguese slang for the more relaxed chat among footballers, and claims he’s been trying to cheer up his teammates.
“The tendency is for the locker room to be a little more serious, more concentrated. Whenever there’s another Brazilian in the team, we try to do a bit of clowning. Football is something serious, our profession, but it needs to bring joy to the pitch.
“The foreigners end up joining the wave and we leave the environment light. There’s a lot of resenha: Rodrigo, Alioski, Hélder Costa, Harisson, me too. Everyone likes the resenha. We always try to animate the cheer up the dressing room.”
What that exactly involves wasn’t explained, but with Brazilian footballers it usually revolves around music and bringing an upbeat mood to the dressing room.
