Raphinha (footballer, born 1996)

Raphael Dias Belloli (born 14 December 1996), known as Raphinha, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Premier League club Leeds United and the Brazil national team.

Not to be confused with Raphinha (footballer, born 1993).

Raphinha
Raphinha with Leeds United in August 2021
Personal information
Full name Raphael Dias Belloli[1]
Date of birth (1996-12-14) 14 December 1996
Place of birth Porto Alegre, Brazil
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Winger
Club information
Current team
 Leeds United
Number 10
Youth career
2014–2015 Avaí
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015 Avaí 0 (0)
2015–2016 Vitória Guimarães B 16 (5)
2016–2018 Vitória Guimarães 57 (18)
2018–2019 Sporting CP 28 (6)
2019–2020 Rennes 28 (6)
2020– Leeds United 60 (16)
National team‡
2021– Brazil 7 (3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:39, 25 April 2022 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 1 February 2022 (UTC)

Early life

Raphinha was born in Porto Alegre, Brazil where he grew up in Restinga, a favela far from the city centre.[2][3][4] His father was a jobbing musician.[5] He had a difficult upbringing where he describes sharing a bedroom with his parents, younger brother and pets; struggling to pay travel costs and at points having to beg for food.[2] He is of partial Italian descent.[6]

At the age of seven, he attended Ronaldinho's birthday party due to his father and uncle's relationship with the player.[2] They have met numerous times since and have developed a lasting friendship.[2]

Before starting his professional football career, Raphinha participated in the várzea tournaments until the age of 18, which he describes as "a network of independent matches and tournaments organised by the local community" below academy level in which any prospective player is allowed to participate.[2] The matches in these tournaments are played under harsh conditions, including home fans harassing opponent team players near changing rooms before matches, gunshots, clay pitches with dust and sand, intense heat, posts instead of nets and shirtless teams due to the lack of bibs.[2]

He has a long standing friendship with Bruno Fernandes, starting before they became teammates at Sporting CP.[2] According to Raphinha, Fernandes has been a huge help to him and his footballing career.[2] Before joining Leeds United, Fernandes told Raphinha that his style would "fit the league" (in reference to the Premier League).[2]

Club career

Avaí

After unsuccessful trials with International and Grêmio, Raphinha started his career playing youth football with Imbituba, where he was later scouted by Avaí.[5] At 18 years old, Raphinha started his career with the Avaí's under-20 team in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 2014.[4][2] After being injured, he was unable to make the squad but continued to train on his own.[2] Despite growing interest in Raphinha from many of Brazil's top clubs, Avaí kept hold of him until 2016, where he impressed at the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior.[5]

Vitória Guimarães

On 2 February 2016, Raphinha signed for Portuguese side Vitória Guimarães, having been scouted at the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior by Deco, who signed him to his agency, D20 Sports, and arranged his transfer to Vitória.[5][7] He made his debut for the Vimaranenses on 13 March 2016 against Paços de Ferreira.[8] He scored his first goal for the club against C.S. Marítimo on the 20 August 2016.[9] He made his first appearance in the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League on 14 September 2017 against Red Bull Salzburg.[9] He won the Vitória Guimarães Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2017.[10] He scored 18 goals during 43 games (in all competitions) during the 2017–18 Primeira Liga season for Vitória Guimarães.[4]

Sporting CP

In May 2018, he transferred to Portuguese club Sporting CP until 2019.[11] He made his debut on the 12 August against Moreirense. He scored his first goal for the club on 20 September 2018 against FK Qarabag in the 2–0 victory in the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League.[12] Raphinha was a part of the side that won the 2018–19 Taça de Portugal scoring a penalty in the penalty shootout victory against Porto.[13][9]

Rennes

He signed for French club Rennes in 2019, with a transfer fee around €21 million,[14] the club's record signing.[9] He scored and gained an assist in his final game for the club during the 2020–21 Ligue 1 fixture against Reims in a 2–2 draw on 4 October 2020.[15] He scored eight goals and gained seven assists during his time at the club, where he helped Rennes to a third place finish and qualify for the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League during the 2019–20 Ligue 1 season.[16]

2020–21 season

On 5 October 2020, he joined Leeds United on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee reported to be in the region of £17 million, or about €20 million.[17][18] On 19 October 2020, he made his debut as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers.[19] His full debut was at home to Arsenal on 22 November 2020.[20] On 28 November 2020, Raphinha scored his first Leeds goal in a 1–0 away win over Everton.[21] His winning goal secured Leeds' first ever Premier League win at Goodison Park and their first league win at Everton since 1990.[22] and he finished the season with six goals, all from league fixtures.

2021–22 season

Raphinha scored his first goal of the season on 21 August 2021, in Leeds' first home game, a low-struck 72nd-minute equaliser from just inside the penalty area, in a 2–2 result against Everton,[23] which was nominated as one of the Premier League's Goals of the Month for August.[24][25]

International career

In August 2021, Raphinha was called up to represent Brazil for the team's World Cup qualifiers against Chile, Argentina and Peru.[26]

On 7 October 2021, Raphinha made his full debut for the national side, coming on as a substitute at half time in a 3–1 comeback win against Venezuela.[27] He assisted two goals and won a penalty in 45 minutes on the pitch, receiving praise from sports pundits and fans.[28]

In his third appearance and first start, he scored his first two international goals in a qualifying match against Uruguay.[29]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 25 April 2022[30][31]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Other[lower-alpha 1] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Avaí 2015 Série A 0000——0000
Vitória Guimarães B 2015–16 LigaPro 165————165
Vitória Guimarães 2015–16 Primeira Liga 10————10
2016–17 3247020——414
2017–18 3215113160114318
Total 6519815160118522
Sporting CP 2018–19 Primeira Liga 244404241—367
2019–20 420000001052
Total 28640424110419
Rennes 2019–20 Ligue 1 22532104000307
2020–21 6100—00—61
Total 28632104000368
Leeds United 2020–21 Premier League 3061000——316
2021–22 30101000——3110
Total 6016200000006216
Career total 197521631031412124060
  1. Includes Campeonato Catarinense and Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira

International
As of match played 1 February 2022[32]
Brazil
YearAppsGoals
202152
202221
Total73
Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first.[32]
List of international goals scored by Raphinha
No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.14 October 2021Arena da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil3 Uruguay2–04–12022 FIFA World Cup qualification
2.3–0
3.1 February 2022Mineirão, Belo Horizonte, Brazil7 Paraguay1–04–0

Honours

Sporting CP

Individual

  • Vitória Guimarães Breakthrough Player of the Year: 2017[34]

References
  1. "2020/21 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  2. "12 Things You Don't Know About Me By Raphinha". The Players' Tribune. Minute Media. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  3. "12 Histórias que Você Não Sabe Sobre Mim por Raphinha". The Players' Tribune. Minute Media. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  4. "Who is Raphinha – Rennes winger in profile as Leeds United target deadline day transfer". Yorkshire Evening Post. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  5. Hay, Phil; Lang, Jack (13 October 2020). "Raphinha, the fiery Brazilian who has swapped the Champions League for Leeds". The Athletic. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  6. "Reportagem: Rafael Reis - Itália deve convocar Tolói para eliminatórias e já mira outros brasileiros". www.uol.com.br.
  7. "Avaí vende jovem Raphinha para o Vitória de Guimarães, de Portugal" [Avaí sells youngster Raphinha to Vitória de Guimarães, of Portugal]. Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 2 February 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  8. "Vitória Guimarães 0–1 Paços de Ferreira". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  9. "10 FACTS ABOUT RAPHINHA". Leeds United. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  10. "Brasileiro conquista prêmio inédito de revelação em Portugal" [Brazilian wins unprecedented award for revelation in Portugal] (in Portuguese). Terra. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  11. "Raphinha assina por cinco épocas pelo Sporting". Público (in Portuguese). 23 May 2018.
  12. "Sporting CP 2 FK Qarabag 0". UEFA.com. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  13. "Penalties smile on Sporting again as Lions retain Taça da Liga crown". PortuGOAL.net. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  14. "Raphinha no Rennes é a sexta maior transferência de sempre do Sporting". Desporto (in Portuguese). 2 September 2019.
  15. "Raphinha's Rennes swansong gave Leeds United an enticing showcase of his undoubted potential". Leeds Live. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  16. "Leeds Utd transfer news: Raphinha signs from Rennes for £17m". BBC Sport. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  17. Rayner, Stuart (5 October 2020). "Raphinha completes deadline-day switch to Leeds United". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  18. "Leeds United sign winger Raphinha from Rennes for £17m". The Independent. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  19. Ames, Nick (19 October 2020). "Leeds United 0–1 Wolves: Premier League – as it happened". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  20. Hay, Phil (24 November 2020). "Raphinha, an astute £17m buy with the diligence and flair to satisfy Bielsa". The Athletic. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  21. Magowan, Alistair (28 November 2020). "Everton 0-1 Leeds United: Raphinha's first Leeds goal sinks Toffees". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  22. "Raphinha's excellent late goal gave Leeds a deserved victory in a match of many chances at Goodison Park". TheGuardian.com. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  23. Dawkes, Phil (21 August 2021). "Leeds United 2-2 Everton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  24. "Luke and Raphinha Nominated for Premier League Goal of the Month!". Leedsunited.com. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  25. "Pick August's Budweiser Goal of the Month!". PremierLeague.com. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  26. "Raphinha Called Up to Brazil's National Squad". Leeds United. Leeds United. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. Reuters (8 October 2021). "Brazil rally to beat Venezuela in qualifier as Raphinha enjoys dream debut". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  28. "Raphinha, la nueva joya de Brasil, fue dirigida por Deco y encantó al Loco Bielsa en la Premier League". ESPN.com.co (in Spanish). 14 October 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  29. "Brazil 4-1 Uruguay: Raphinha scores twice as home side cruise to World Cup qualifying victory". Eurosport. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  30. Raphinha at Soccerway
  31. Raphinha at ForaDeJogo
  32. "Raphinha". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  33. "Penalties smile on Sporting again as Lions retain Taça da Liga crown". PortuGOAL.net. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  34. "Brasileiro conquista prêmio inédito de revelação em Portugal" [Brazilian wins unprecedented award for revelation in Portugal] (in Portuguese). Terra. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
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