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Raphinha has credited former boss Marcelo Bielsa as the man who changed his career, following the winger’s recent signing with Barcelona.
After protracted negotiations with Leeds United, the 25-year-old’s signing was finally confirmed last Friday, joining on a five-year deal.
The transfer punctuates what has been a sudden rise to prominence for Raphinha, who spent only one season at Sporting CP and Rennes respectively before heading to Leeds in 2020.
From there under Marcelo Bielsa, the winger believes he played his best football to this date and helped him achieve a “bigger” footballing dream than once imagined.
“He was very important for me,” Raphinha told Barca TV. “He got me out of France, gave me confidence, and then I managed to get to the Brazil team, with the way he made me play, he got the most out of me.
“My real dream was to play professionally in Brazil, to show my work for the Brazilian fans. I didn’t get it but I had another opportunity, to stay in Europe. It was closer to my dreams, arriving here, playing in the Champions League, playing with Brazil. Today I am realising a bigger dream.”
The Porto Alegre native was one of few shining lights for Leeds as they managed to stave off relegation from the Premier League last season, with Bielsa also replaced by Jesse Marsch in February.
Contributing to 29 goals in 65 Premier League appearances, and scoring in his debut on Tuesday against Inter Miami, Raphinha added he hopes to emulate compatriots who have worn the Barcelona shirt on the way to World Cup success with the Selecao.
“When the team goes well, the individual shows up, I really want to win the league, the Champions League, everything,” he said.
“Individually, I have the dream of winning the World Cup with Brazil and I will stay at Barca for many years. It was a dream to follow in the footsteps of Ronaldinho and Neymar, Dani Alves too, Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, they are the Brazilian idols.
“Following in their footsteps is a huge honour for me, there are no words to explain the feelings. I always talk about Ronaldinho, because since I remember that I began to understand football, it was when Ronaldinho arrived at Barça, I always saw him play, do spectacular things.”
