(Credit: Imago)
Wed 2 July 2025 15:03, UK
Raphinha may have only been a Leeds United player for two seasons but his contributions at Elland Road have been immortalised.
Leeds are on their way back to the promised land five years after their initial return to the Premier League in 2020, after Daniel Farke‘s side sealed the Championship title with 100 points and 95 goals scored.
Marcelo Bielsa‘s second-tier champions of 2020 only amassed 93 points by comparison, but their first summer transfer window back in the top-flight saw them bring in Raphinha and several other big names.
The Whites have made three signings so far this summer in the form of Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw, and owners 49ers Enterprises have plans for up to 10 new arrivals at Elland Road.
Raphinha became a club legend in just two seasons at Elland RoadRaphinha reacts to ‘lovely’ Leeds development
Raphinha’s career has gone from strength to strength since his move to Barcelona for £55million in 2022, and his performances last season saw the Brazil international score 34 goals and add 25 assists.
The 28-year-old is seen as one of the front-runners for the Ballon D’Or, just thee years after his 11 goals in the 2021–22 Premier League season kept Leeds afloat in the Premier League by the skin of their teeth.
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Raphinha’s penalty and post-match celebrations at Brentford in May 2022 were parting gift before his summer move to Barcelona, and those scenes have now been immortalised in a mural near Elland Road.
The Leeds United Supporters’ Trust posted on Instagram (1 July) to display the “comic strip heroes” mural on the side of a nearby house, featuring players from across the eras such as Mateusz Klich, Liam Cooper and Gaetano Berardi.
Raphinha was also included on the right-hand side of the mural, and he shared the post to his Instagram story (2 July) with the caption of: “Lovely”.
(Credit: @raphinha on Instagram)Leeds unlikely to unearth ‘another Raphinha’ this summer
Football Insider Verdict
Although Leeds fans are desperate to see their club aim as high as possible for uncut gems like Raphinha in the summer transfer market, their three additions so far are all in the solid-if-not-spectacular bracket.
A player of Raphinha’s evident quality is unlikely to be found for a fee as small as the £17m Leeds paid to Rennes five years ago, and Dan James already has the right flank sewn up as one of Farke’s star players.
Leeds still have several boxes to tick up front, between the sticks, in central midfield and on the left-hand side, but the days of signing either big names or previously unknown prospects are over at Elland Road.
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