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Former Leeds United ace makes Champions League history and snatches a Lionel Messi record in the process
Raphinha Makes History at Barcelona After Stellar Rise from Leeds United
Former Leeds United standout Raphinha has etched his name into Barcelona’s history books with a record-breaking performance in the Champions League.
The Brazilian winger first rose to prominence during his two-year spell at Elland Road, where he quickly became a fan favourite and a crucial player under Marcelo Bielsa.
Known for his attacking flair and relentless energy, Raphinha scored 17 goals and provided 12 assists in 65 Premier League appearances after joining in October 2020.
In his debut season, he played a key role in Leeds finishing ninth in the top flight. The following year, his 11 league goals were vital in keeping the club from relegation.
His impact at Leeds opened the door for a high-profile move to Barcelona, though he wasn’t the first to use Elland Road as a springboard to greater things.
Despite interest from Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham, Raphinha chose the Spanish giants, signing a five-year deal for a reported £50 million.
Transitioning from Bielsa’s intense, fast-paced system to Barcelona’s more possession-focused style posed challenges.
Competition for playing time, especially with the likes of Ousmane Dembélé, also made his start in Spain difficult.
However, things took a positive turn following the arrival of new manager Hansi Flick, who backed the Brazilian and helped unlock his full potential.
After last night’s 3-3 Champions League draw with Inter Milan, Raphinha has now recorded 30 goals and 23 assists in all competitions for Barça.
Raphinha breaks Lionel Messi Barcelona record
In La Liga, he boasts 15 goals and 9 assists across 31 appearances, while in the Champions League, he has an impressive 12 goals and 8 assists in just 13 matches.
Raphinha recently made history by surpassing Lionel Messi’s record for the most Champions League goal contributions in a single season for Barcelona.
His assist—a well-placed header to set up Ferran Torres against Inter—was his 20th of the campaign, edging past the mark once held by the legendary Argentine.
He’s now just one goal contribution away from matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s all-time single-season UCL record, and a single assist short of equaling Luis Figo’s tally of nine assists during the 1999–2000 season.
The Leeds Chapter That Started It All
Raphinha’s journey to the top began in earnest at Leeds, thanks in part to an unexpected discovery. Marcelo Bielsa wasn’t even scouting when he first saw Raphinha in action—his attention was caught by footage of a match between Nice and Rennes.
Bielsa’s trusted assistant, Andres Clavijo—known publicly as his translator but actually an analyst with expertise in French football—had brought the player to his attention.
“I did a video of Nice versus Rennes and Raphinha tore the left-back apart,” Clavijo recalled. “Marcelo asked, ‘Who is this player?’ and I told him it was Raphinha, who had helped Rennes qualify for the Champions League.”
Clavijo initially believed the winger would be out of Leeds’ financial reach, with Rennes having bought him for £20 million just a season earlier. But Bielsa, together with Director of Football Victor Orta, worked quickly to seal the deal late in the transfer window.
Clavijo, reflecting on the move, called Raphinha “the best player I’ve ever worked with,” praising not just his technical ability but his extraordinary work ethic.
“He was on another level in training. His physical stats were unbelievable. In his first Premier League season alone, he recorded 715 sprints—the most of any winger—even after missing eight matches.”
Raphinha’s rise from Elland Road to Camp Nou is a testament to talent, hard work, and the right guidance. Now a record-setter at Barcelona, the Brazilian’s journey is far from over.
