Raphinha’s rise to Barcelona from Brazil slums to Leeds United as told by his family
For a short period of time that no Leeds United fan will forget, Raphinha lit up Elland Road and indeed the Premier League with his play for the Whites. A move to Barcelona followed where he has reached new heights, while establishing himself as a key player for the Brazil national team.
Back in 2021 LeedsLive charted Raphinha’s path to Elland Road. This is our interview from then as we profiled a superstar and new Leeds terrace hero.
Eduardo Belloli has seen a new flash of colour on his walks around the shanty towns of the Restinga slum in Porto Alegre. There are new streaks of white, green and maroon around the neighbourhood celebrating a passion which has united the community
Raphinha 18’ is the emblem they share on their backs, a homage to the young boy who escaped the dangerous clutches of life on the wrong side of the tracks in Brazil. Leeds United’s latest fan club has blossomed in this underprivileged, densely populated suburb of Porto Alegre where earning potential is low, the crime rate is high and Raphinha’s story is an inspiration.
elloli, Raphinha’s uncle, is talking to LeedsLive about Projeto Vencedor, the charity his nephew has used as a vehicle for helping the disadvantaged children of Restinga. Only a decade ago, Raphinha himself was one of those children he is now helping in the neighbourhood. He had to overcome setbacks, distractions and crime to become the beacon he has in the world’s most-watched football league.
“Raphael got involved in the project after he went to Portugal when he started playing for Vitória de Guimarães, as he became a reference for the neighbourhood boys who dream of being a football player like him,” Belloli tells me. “Raphael, over time, when he comes to Brazil whenever he can, he goes to the project to lecture to the
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