Leeds United’s best player of the last 20 years is Barcelona and Brazil star Raphinha, who has gone on to become even more of a superstar in La Liga.
Raphinha tore it up at Elland Road and was the vital component of the team that survived relegation in 2022 prior to joining Barcelona. That was his parting gift, with most Leeds United fans regarding him as the best player they had seen in almost 20 years.
Marcelo Bielsa was the man who was in charge when Raphinha arrived, but it is rare you see a player leave Elland Road and go on to far better things in the way that he did since joining Barcelona.
Very early into his move from Rennes, it was clear that the Whites had an ‘out of the ordinary’ player in Raphinha. It was abundant, with him contributing to vital goals and conjuring up moments of magic to drag Leeds over the line consistently.
FC Barcelona v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg
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Raphinha named among the three best players in the world
Thierry Henry believes Raphinha wins the Ballon d’Or for his heroics last season with the La Liga and European giants. Following two strong seasons, Raphinha went up another level in 2024/25.
Season Matches Goals Assists
2022/23 50 10 12
2023/24 37 10 13
2024/25 57 34 25
2025/26 4 3 1
Raphinha’s seasons at Barcelona
Raphinha celebrated last season in style and he will hope to do so again with the Ballon d’Or next week. Barcelona’s star has credited Bielsa for his rise to true stardom on the world stage and in the Champions League and that would cap it off.
Raphinha penned a new contract and ex-Leeds players loved it, namely Liam Cooper and Luke Ayling. However, other Leeds players have been singing his praises more recently. That includes players who weren’t ever his former teammates.
The PFA awards were just under a month ago now, but ESPN UK asked Jayden Bogle and Joel Piroe for their thoughts on the three current best players in the world, which was posted over the weekend.
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Bogle said: “Lamine [Yamal].”
The presenter then said: “Hey, what kind of quick-fire is this?”
Bogle replied: “Yeah, it’s got to be quick-fire, bro.”
Piroe said: “I would say Raphinha.”
Bogle responded: “Lamine, Raphinha, [Kylian] Mbappe.”
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Alan Shearer’s strange view of Raphinha
Speaking on Amazon Prime on the commentary team, Alan Shearer made a baffling Raphinha claim when speaking to Jon Champion and discussing his time with Leeds.
Shearer said: “Not bad, is it? Not a bad season. Did you see that in him at Leeds?”
Champion replied: “Not to this level, no.”
Shearer agreed: “No, I didn’t. No. Though, there is certainly a talented player in there. Not as much as we’ve seen.”
Leeds fans couldn’t believe Shearer’s Raphinha view at the time because he was excellent for Leeds, even if he has hit new heights in Spain with Barcelona.
Leeds needed someone like Raphinha against Fulham, as he scored the winner the last time Leeds won at Craven Cottage. He is now considered one of the three best players in world football.