Former Leeds Trainer Reveals Raphinha’s Barcelona Dream: ‘It Was Always Barça’
Long before Raphinha became one of Barcelona’s most influential players, the Brazilian winger already knew exactly where he wanted his career to take him.
His journey from Leeds United to becoming a leader at Camp Nou has been remarkable, but according to one of his former trainers, Barcelona was never a random destination for the Brazilian.
It was the club he dreamed of joining, largely because of his admiration for one of Barça’s greatest-ever Brazilian stars: Ronaldinho.
Barcelona Was Always Raphinha’s Dream
Former Leeds United fitness coach and rehabilitation specialist Alejandro Lorenzo has revealed just how strongly Raphinha wanted to play for Barcelona.
Speaking about his time working with the Brazilian, Lorenzo recalled asking him about his ambitions in Spanish football.
“I asked him about the Spanish league, and he always told me that his dream was to play for Barça because of Ronaldinho, who was his favourite player,” Lorenzo revealed, as quoted by Diario SPORT.
Raphinha eventually fulfilled that ambition in 2022 when he completed his move to Barcelona.
However, Lorenzo believes the club were not simply signing a talented winger. He had already seen extraordinary qualities in the Brazilian during his time at Leeds.
Raphinha’s Finishing Left His Trainers Stunned
Lorenzo remembers one particular training exercise that demonstrated just how naturally gifted Raphinha was in front of goal.
“It was crazy, something I’d never seen before,” he recalled.
“During rehabilitation, I remember we did a finishing exercise. Out of 20 shots, he put 19 into the top corner.”
His ability with the ball was not the only thing that separated Raphinha from his teammates.
Leeds were one of the most physically demanding teams in Europe under Marcelo Bielsa, with the Argentine coach demanding relentless pressing, running and intensity.
Even within that environment, Raphinha stood out.
“We were the team that covered the most metres at high intensity and made the most sprints in Europe because of Bielsa’s style, and he did the most by far.”
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The Relentless Work Ethic Behind His Success
Raphinha's extraordinary physical output was backed by an equally impressive commitment to his preparation.
Lorenzo described him as an exceptionally professional footballer who was always looking for ways to improve.
During his time at Leeds, Raphinha reportedly even installed a hyperbaric chamber at his home while regularly speaking with the club's fitness staff about nutrition and recovery.
That attention to detail has remained a defining feature of his career.
“He doesn’t have a fourth gear, he’s always in fifth,” Lorenzo said.
That mentality has also helped Raphinha evolve at Barcelona.
Under Hansi Flick, the Brazilian has developed into a more complete and versatile attacker, capable of operating across the frontline while contributing significantly in both goals and assists.
‘He Was Going to Define an Era’
Perhaps the most striking part of Lorenzo's recollection is that he believed Raphinha was destined for something special long before his Barcelona breakthrough.
“I knew he was a player who was going to mark a before and after. He was going to define an era.”
Raphinha's career since leaving Leeds has arguably vindicated that prediction.
His current role at Barcelona is very different from the one he had at Elland Road. He has developed from an explosive winger into one of the central figures in Flick's attack and a leader within the dressing room.
Most players might relax after finally achieving their childhood dream, but Raphinha appears to have done the opposite.
He has continued improving, raising his standards and taking on greater responsibility with every season.
And with Barcelona relying heavily on his experience, intensity and attacking quality, the Brazilian now has the opportunity to turn the dream inspired by Ronaldinho into an even bigger legacy of his own.