Five Raphinha moments at Leeds that showed he’s destined to win Ballon d’Or
Former Leeds United winger Raphinha is among the favourites to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
The Brazilian earned the 2024/25 La Liga player of the season award as his Barcelona side helped themselves to the domestic treble in Spain.
He managed an astonishing 34 goals and 22 assists last season and has already helped himself to another five goal contributions in 2025/26.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place in Paris on Monday, 22 September. Below, MOT Leeds News looks back on five reasons why Leeds fans knew he was always destined for greatness.
Raphinha’s first goal for Leeds sealed huge win vs Everton at Goodison Park
Raphinha signed for Leeds on the transfer deadline day in October 2020. It didn’t take him long to show the fans what he could do.
His first goal for the Whites was a peach against Everton at Goodison Park. He picked the ball up around 25 yards from goal and drilled a low shot past Jordan Pickford to help Leeds pick up all three points.
Raphinha fired in another screamer in Leeds’ demolition of West Bromwich Albion
Raphinha’s second Leeds goal was also something special.
Leeds were tearing West Brom apart at The Hawthorns, and Raphinha got in on the action with a powerful left-footed strike arrowing into the top corner. Leeds went on to win the game 5-0.
Raphinha showed off his free-kick expertise with a stunning goal against Southampton
Raphinha is well-known as a free-kick specialist. His best direct free kick for Leeds arguably came against Southampton, when he curled home a sublime effort to seal a 3-0 win.
The streets won’t forget when Raphinha humiliated Gary Cahill with an outrageous roulette nutmeg
Raphinha’s showboating is part of what makes him admired by football fans all around the world.
One of his most viral pieces of skill is when he nutmegged Gary Cahill with an audacious roulette nutmeg.
This was in February 2021 when Cahill was playing for Crystal Palace. The former England defender would play on for another season, but it could be argued he was never the same after this moment.
Raphinha’s crucial penalty against Brentford is his defining moment as a Leeds player
Jesse Marsch’s Leeds needed a result on the final day of the 2021/22 season to be sure of avoiding relegation to the Championship.
They earned a penalty in this game that could have meant tens of millions of pounds to the club, and more than that to the fans.
Raphinha was the man who stepped to take it, and the result never looked in doubt. He slotted home the spot-kick and Leeds won the game to secure Premier League survival.
The world’s best players need nerves of steel as well as talent. Raphinha showed his nerve in that moment. It was little surprise that a club like Barcelona would bid for Raphinha a few weeks later.
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest Leeds United news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account –@motleedsnews