Former Leeds United forward Raphinha enjoyed a standout night in the UEFA Champions League, leading Barcelona to a 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
His impressive performance has placed him alongside Neymar Jr. and Ronaldinho in a notable statistic, highlighting his continued rise since leaving Elland Road in 2022.
Raphinha wasted no time making an impact, scoring just a minute into the match, setting the tone for his remarkable display. He added another goal just before halftime, finding the net in the 45th minute to put Barcelona ahead 3-1, completing his first-half brace.
The Brazilian wasn’t finished yet; he completed his hat-trick with a goal in the 56th minute, helping his team secure a commanding win over the Bundesliga giants.
Pundit acknowledges Leeds United roots for Raphinha
As Raphinha celebrated his hat-trick, commentator Guy Mowbray made sure to acknowledge his roots at Leeds, reminding fans of his journey to this impressive moment with the Spanish side.
“They tell me he learned all that at Elland Road,” Mowbray said (h/t Leeds All Over).
OptaJoao pointed out on X that Raphinha has made history as the fourth Brazilian to score a hat-trick for Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, following in the footsteps of Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and Neymar.
Manager Hansi Flick had nothing but praise for the former Leeds United player, stating that Raphinha exemplifies how the squad should operate.
“Raphinha is a very good example of how the team works,” Flick said in a news conference (h/t ESPN). “He is someone who always gives everything in training and in games, too, he plays with a lot of intensity. He’s very important for us, how he presses, and today we saw he scores goals as well.
“He’s a player who is defensive and offensive, with intensity, dynamism, technique … We have an excellent team and these characteristics suit us perfectly.”
In recent years, Leeds United has seen many players come and go, but the fans have a special appreciation for those who truly gave their all at Elland Road. Even when these players move on, the supporters still wish them well and proudly celebrate their achievements, no matter what colors they’re wearing now.
