Former Leeds United winger Raphinha has undoubtedly been one of the best players in the world in the past 12 months. Now at Barcelona, it took the Brazilian a bit of time to really get his time in Spain off the ground, but he’s hit astronomical heights since the start of last season.
In 2024/25, he was on fire under Hansi Flick. The 28-year-old scored 34 times and assisted 26 in just 57 games, mainly operating off the left-hand side. It was that form that saw him place fifth in the Ballon d’Or.
Now one of the best footballers on the planet, Leeds fans will look back at his time at Elland Road fondly.
Raphinha’s Leeds career
Leeds signed Raphinha at the end of the 2020 summer transfer window, and he stayed at the club for two years before making the move to La Liga to join Barca. He was a key reason why they were able to survive in the Premier League for as long as they did.
In 67 games for the Whites, Raphinha scored 17 goals and assisted 12 times. Unlike under Flick in Spain, he tended to operate as a right-winger for Leeds, cutting inside on his deadly left foot.
There were some vital goals scored by the former Leeds winger, too. His most important came against Brentford, in what would turn out to be his last ever game for the club.
He coolly slotted a penalty home from 12 yards, in a goal that would be enough to keep his side in the Premier League.
Someone who thought highly of Raphinha whilst he was a Leeds player was former manager Marcelo Bielsa.
Whilst the pair were at Elland Road, the now-Uruguay boss said that “technically he’s at the level of the best,” showing just how much he rated the Brazilian.
Current Leeds manager Daniel Farke would surely love Raphinha in his current squad. Well, in the summer, he signed someone who could be considered in the same mould.
The new Leeds star in the same mould as Raphinha
It was certainly a big summer for Leeds, who needed to make some statement signings to help their chances of Premier League survival.
Some of their new additions have hit the ground running, with Sean Longstaff one man who has started particularly well.
Well, the other player who’s made a strong start to life in West Yorkshire is Swiss attacker Noah Okafor. The 25-year-old made the move to Elland Road from Italian giants AC Milan, costing the club £18m.
It has been a fast start for Leeds’ new number 19. He’s only featured in five Premier League games, notching up 308 minutes so far. Already, Okafor has two goals to his name, operating as a left-winger.
The “explosive” winger, as football scout Antonio Mango described him, bagged a goal in Leeds’ 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He also found the back of the net for what turned out to be the 800th time by a Leeds player in the Premier League, against Tottenham Hotspur.
Some of the numbers from those two games highlight exactly why Okafor could become Leeds’ new Raphinha.
For example, he completed six dribbles against Wolves and created two chances against Spurs, to go along with his goals.
Touches
40
34
Opposition half passes completed
6
12
Ground duels won
8
5
Key passes
0
2
Dribbles completed
6
1
Goals
1
1
It is interesting to look at the start Rphinha made to his Leeds career, compared to Okafor.
The Swiss international has actually had a more productive beginning, with two goals in his first five top-flight games, better than the sole strike Raphinha bagged in his opening five Premier League games.
Already, Okafor has shown great responsibility in a Leeds shirt and the ability to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and make things happen for his side.
If the 25-year-old winger can replicate what Raphinha did for Leeds, he will go down in history. He’s certainly started strongly.