Raphinha has opened up on the moment he decided his Leeds United career was over — and why no club, not even Chelsea, stood a chance once Barcelona made their move. The Brazilian winger left Elland Road in July 2022 after two outstanding years in the Premier League, but says he refused to entertain any offers that didn’t match the one destination he had dreamed of since childhood.
With Barcelona preparing to face Chelsea in the Champions League this evening, Raphinha spoke to Sport about that pivotal summer and why he shut out all other interest. For Leeds fans, his comments confirm what many suspected at the time: the player’s heart was already in Catalonia.
Raphinha: “I turned a blind eye to other teams”
Chelsea pushed hard for Raphinha in 2022. Arsenal and other Premier League clubs also made enquiries. Leeds accepted Chelsea’s bid, and the path was almost clear — except for the player himself.
“Since my last match with Leeds, I knew about the possibility of wearing the Barça shirt and I knew about Chelsea’s interest,” Raphinha said.
“But I had a dream I had to fulfil, and I gave 100% to be able to wear the Barça shirt. I turned a blind eye to other teams that wanted to sign me. I had a dream, and I did everything possible to play for Barca.”
For Leeds, the saga dragged longer than expected as Raphinha pushed for Barcelona to finalise their bid. For the player, the outcome was never in doubt.
Bielsa’s key influence — and Leeds years that shaped him
Raphinha enjoyed two highly impactful seasons at Elland Road under Marcelo Bielsa, who helped him adapt rapidly to Premier League intensity. The winger has repeatedly credited Bielsa’s mentorship for accelerating his development.
During his Leeds spell, he contributed:
- 17 goals
- 12 assists
- 67 appearances
His 11 goals in the 2021/22 season were crucial in keeping Leeds in the Premier League. That form is what attracted the interest of Chelsea, but by then, Raphinha’s focus had narrowed to a single club.
From early struggles to Barcelona mainstay
The 28-year-old admits his start in Spain wasn’t smooth, but he has since worked his way into becoming one of Barcelona’s most dangerous attackers under Xavi and Hansi Flick. His directness, productivity and relentless pressing have made him a fan favourite.
Tonight’s Champions League meeting with Chelsea offers a reminder of the alternate reality that never happened — and the steadfastness that took him to Catalonia.
Our View: Why Raphinha’s stance makes total sense
Having covered his Premier League rise closely, Raphinha’s insistence on joining Barcelona was always about identity rather than finances. In our view, he is the type of player who thrives on emotional connection — and Barcelona represents the ultimate stage for his style: expressive, aggressive and technically expressive football.
Although some argued at the time that rejecting Chelsea was risky, other indications point differently: he wanted a club where culture matched his game. This seems optimistic for a player leaving Leeds under pressure, but Raphinha backed his belief in himself — and Barcelona became the environment where that belief was rewarded.
From experience covering major transfers, players who push for a move based on long-held personal dreams often integrate faster — because they arrive with clarity and conviction.
Key Insights
- Raphinha turned down Chelsea and others in 2022 to force through a Barcelona move.
- He says he “turned a blind eye” to all other offers to fulfil a lifelong dream.
- Bielsa and Leeds gave him Premier League visibility, but Barça was always his priority.
- The winger has become one of Barcelona’s best performers after initial adaptation.
- He faces Chelsea tonight in the Champions League — the club he once rejected.
What’s Next
Raphinha is expected to start tonight’s Champions League tie, with Barcelona needing a strong result to maintain momentum in the group stage. Against the club he refused to join, it’s a chance to reaffirm he made the right choice.
👉 Leeds fans — do you feel Raphinha earned the right to chase his dream, or should he have handled the exit differently?
1 Comment (last comment by JamesLove)
First read message
By JamesLove 25 Nov 2025 10:26
This Guy was insane at Leeds and under Bielsa. Leeds was fun to Watch back then
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