“Leeds Fans Missed This: Raphinha’s Outrageous Training Habit Finally Exposed
Raphinha’s Ballon d’Or Rise Delights Leeds United Fans
Raphinha is on the verge of achieving one of football’s highest individual honors — the Ballon d’Or — and Leeds United fans couldn’t be prouder.
It’s uncommon to see a player leave Elland Road and reach even greater heights, but Raphinha has proven to be the exception. His name is now in serious contention for the world’s most prestigious football award.
In contrast, former teammate Kalvin Phillips hasn’t enjoyed the same success since his move away from Leeds and is now being linked with a possible return to the club this summer.
As for Raphinha, a return to West Yorkshire seems highly unlikely. He’s now being talked about as one of the best players in the world. Football icon Thierry Henry even believes Raphinha could win the Ballon d’Or — and he credits a key factor from the Brazilian’s time at Leeds for that potential success.
The ‘Out of the Ordinary’ Trait Raphinha Showed at Leeds
Raphinha’s rise to the top might have started in Brazil and continued in Spain, but it was at Leeds where a hidden side of his game truly emerged.
Despite moving on, Raphinha clearly hasn’t forgotten his roots. He recently congratulated Leeds on their promotion — a gesture that speaks volumes about his bond with the club.
As discussions around the Ballon d’Or intensify, with legends like Cafu backing him as well, many point to his incredible work ethic — something first seen during his days at Elland Road.
Leeds left-back Junior Firpo revealed just how exceptional Raphinha was in training. Speaking to DAZN, Firpo said:
“He never stopped running, never stopped sprinting. His high-intensity metres and sprints per game were out of the ordinary. It was outrageous, and the crazy thing is — he never even cramped up. It was incredible.”
Leeds Could Still Benefit From Raphinha’s Success
While the Ballon d’Or would be a personal triumph for Raphinha, Leeds United could also reap rewards from his success.
Looking back, selling him to Barcelona for £50 million seems like a bargain — especially given how far he’s come. But there’s more good news for the Whites: if Barcelona win the Champions League this season, Leeds are set to receive an additional £10 million, thanks to a clause in his transfer deal.
Given Raphinha’s key role in Barcelona’s campaign and their strong position as favorites, that bonus seems very much within reach. The timing couldn’t be better either, as Daniel Farke prepares to strengthen his squad for a return to the Premier League.
With Raphinha continuing to shine on the world stage, his journey remains a source of pride and inspiration for Leeds — and a reminder of just how special his time at the club truly was.
