From the streets of Brazil to scoring against Real Madrid: Exploring Barcelona superstar Raphinha's journey to European football
Barcelona winger Raphinha has opened up on his journey from struggling to live on the streets of Brazil to scoring in El Clasico against Real Madrid. The 28-year-old was born in Restinga, an impoverished neighborhood in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
His story, shared on Instagram by ESPN FC, showed how he struggled as a child, begging for food at some point. For Raphinha, football was an escape, but even that was not enough, as he sometimes had to beg strangers for food after playing in matches.
He lived in the same one-bedroom apartment with his parents, his brother, and their pets, which showed the level of financial difficulty they were experiencing. However, he found an "outlet" through football, playing in local tournaments in Brazil. However, this was not an easy reality, as the versatile forward received death threats before games.
He worked his way through, eventually getting scouted and playing for Avai before leaving for Portugal to join Vitoria de Guimaraes in 2016. Deco scouted and signed him to his agency, bringing him to Portugal. In 2018, he joined Sporting CP, before joining Rennes in 2019.
By 2020, he was in Leeds United in the Premier League, where he played until 2022, joining Barcelona in the summer transfer window. He has spent over two seasons at the club now, winning the Supercopa de Espana twice and La Liga once.
This season, Raphinha has been in truly spirited form, scoring 22 goals and providing 11 assists in just 30 appearances. On October 26, 2024, he scored a goal and provided an assist in their El Clasico league match against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, helping the Blaugrana to a 4-0 win.
He was also truly inspiring in leading Barcelona to win the Supercopa de Espana on January 12. Raphinha scored two goals and provided one assist, as the Blaugrana trounced Real Madrid 5-2 with ten men.
Barcelona sporting director Deco opens up about Raphinha after win over Real Madrid
Barca sporting director Deco praised Raphinha after the winger helped the Blaugrana beat Real Madrid to the Supercopa de Espana trophy. Notably, Deco was the agent that helped to sign the 28-year-old at Vitoria Guimaraes, and he was instrumental in Raphinha joining Barca.
Speaking to Globe Esporte, Deco acknowledged that the winger always had what it took to succeed. He said (via Barca Blaugranes):
“I’ve known Raphinha since we were in the youth team, and I was sure he had a great future ahead of him. What you’re seeing this season is Raphinha being Raphinha."
“Since he arrived at Barcelona, he’s had great performances and good numbers. However, it’s all part of a process of adaptation, of maturation, and right now he’s among the best in the world,” he added.
Barcelona have gotten the better of Real Madrid twice this season so far. The two sides could meet in the Copa del Rey semi-finals or finals. This would need Barca to get past Valencia, while Los Blancos get past Leganes in the quarter-finals.
