Brazilian winger Raphinha has opened up about his move to Barcelona from Leeds United. The player was locked in a transfer battle which involved Chelsea and Barca both trying to sign him.
Chelsea had reached an agreement with Leeds before the Spanish side. But, due to the player’s wishes, the move to Stamford Bridge did not go through and he waited for Joan Laporta to come and sign him.
Raphinha opens up on Barcelona transfer after Chelsea rejection
“Rejecting an offer from Chelsea? Yes, because my dream was to wear the Barca shirt,” he said to La Vanguardia. “I followed them since I was young, since Ronaldinho arrived. I wanted to be a part of it.
“The desire was stronger than any other proposal, no matter how powerful it was financially. I knew that I might have some difficulties to come and to be registered. But I was also aware of the effort the club was making.
“So I decided to trust and adapt to the economic conditions that existed. I was born in La Restinga, a very poor neighbourhood in Porto Alegre. I had a very poor childhood, so to speak.
“But my family taught me that humility and values are much more important than material things and that has saved me on many occasions.”
“I talked to Neymar about a move and he told me that if I get to Barcelona then I won’t regret and he was right,” he added.
Raphinha scored his first goal for Barcelona recently in the 3-0 win against Sevilla, and has also assisted another.
