Raphinha's rise from Brazil slums to Leeds United as family tell his story | OneFootball

From the Restinga slums of Porto Alegre to Elland Road acclaim, Raphinha’s journey mixed flair with purpose. He later moved to Barcelona, becoming an important figure for Brazil. In 2021, his uncle Eduardo Belloli and Avai coordinator Diogo Fernandes retraced that path and his community work, according to Leeds Live.

In Restinga, shirts with Raphinha 18 became symbols of hope. Belloli said his story lifted a community long confronted by poverty and crime.

Raphinha supports Projeto Vencedor, the charity he once needed. Belloli said he began helping after joining Vitória de Guimarães, returning to mentor boys on choices that steer them from drugs, trafficking and violence. His parents volunteer, and the goal is to shape responsible citizens, not just footballers.

The route was not smooth. Rejected by Internacional and Gremio for being slight, he kept travelling to Imbituba before Avai took notice.

Fernandes first saw him at Imbituba on a tip from Andre Dias and loved his aggression, speed and finishing. He initially struggled with Avai’s under-20s, but in year two stood out as the best of his age group.

He never made Avai’s first team. Vitória signed him in February 2016, via Deco’s D20 Sports, and the fee later helped Avai through the solidarity mechanism. Sporting and Rennes followed before Leeds, where his displays thrilled supporters.

Projeto Vencedor grew from 15 boys and two volunteers in 2014 to 15 volunteers helping 180 boys.

Source: Leeds Live