Rodri namechecks Leeds United as Raphinha stuns him with Barcelona role switch | OneFootball

Raphinha’s explosive start has defined Barcelona’s early season, despite Brazil’s dismal World Cup. Under Hansi Flick he has been used centrally, returning 14 goals in eight games with three assists.

Rodri said the Brazilian has surprised him most this season, noting he used to be a winger at Leeds and now relishes playing through the middle, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Only four years ago he kept Leeds up on the final day of 2021-22 at the G-Tech, celebrating on his knees before crawling across the turf. He left that summer after 27 goal involvements in 69 appearances.

Deco, then his agent and now Barcelona’s sporting director, has said Chelsea offered more, but Raphinha was set on Barcelona. His early spell featured rotation, then he began to thrive across the last couple of seasons.

This term Flick has pushed him into a striking role after losing Robert Lewandowski, and his form could be Ballon d’Or-winning. He finished fifth in last year’s Ballon d’Or.

At Leeds he was regarded as humble, and Ethan Ampadu has said those who knew him loved him, a view the fanbase shares. Even in Barcelona, he walked his dog with a Leeds lead.

Source: Leedsunited.news

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