Raphinha could be on the brink of winning the next Ballon d’Or to Leeds United fans’ joy.
It’s rare you see a player leave Elland Road and go onto better things, but Raphinha is one of a kind with his name being in the running for the prestigious award.
Kalvin Phillips is someone who didn’t kick on after departing the Whites, as Phillips could rejoin Leeds this summer.
Someone who has no chance of coming back to Leeds anytime soon is Raphinha, who is arguably the best player in the world.
Thierry Henry thinks Raphinha wins the Ballon d’Or, and it could be down to this one thing, which took place at Leeds.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
What Raphinha did at Leeds United that was ‘out of the ordinary’
The Brazilian has established himself as a top player, but he would never have reached this status without Leeds.
It seems like he will always keep his routes with the Whites with him as Raphinha congratulated Leeds on promotion.
With the Ballon d’Or shouts being thrown about as Cafu also thinks Raphinha can win the award, it was his time with Leeds which showed his hidden trait.
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Fans at the club will know he’s a hard-working player, but behind the scenes in training he was doing something that was ‘out of the ordinary’ according to Junior Firpo.
The Leeds left-back spoke to DAZN and explained how ‘outrageous’ his work ethic was.
“He never stopped running, he never stopped sprinting,” Firpo said.
“He was putting up numbers in terms of high-intensity metres and sprints per game that were out of the ordinary.
“It was outrageous, and you never saw a single cramp in him. It was incredible.”
READ MORE: Eddie Gray gives fresh verdict on whether Daniel Farke should manage Leeds United in the Premier League
How much Leeds could get from Raphinha achievement this season
The Ballon d’Or is obviously an excellent award for the Barcelona winger to receive for his hard work this season, and it will be highly celebrated by the Leeds fanbase.
To sell him for just £50m seems like a crime now, and Whites fans would never have expected him to reach this level.
Well they’ll be even happier as aside from the Ballon d’Or, as Raphinha can give Leeds some extra help going into the Premier League.
If Barcelona win the Champions League, Leeds will get £10m from Raphinha’s achievement, which will be a big boost going into the top flight.
He’s been an integral part of the competition this campaign, and Raphinha’s side seemingly look like the favourites.
Raphinha’s statistics in the Champions League this season
Games played 13
Goals 12
Assists 8
Goals per 90 0.98
Chances created per 90 2.93
This will be much appreciated for Daniel Farke who will be hoping to replicate a signing like the Brazilian in the summer.