Firpo and Summerville send messages to ex-Leeds United star Raphinha
Leeds United stars past and present congratulated former Whites winger Raphinha after he scored a hat-trick for Barcelona.
Raphinha posted on Instagram (31 August) after the first treble of his career in Barcelona's 7-0 thumping of Real Valladolid in La Liga, celebrating maximum points in a fourth win from four games this season.
Having played alongside the Brazilian in his two seasons at Elland Road between 2020 and 2022, several current and former Whites stars were quick to congratulate Raphinha on his achievement.
Below the post, Junior Firpo commented, "Rapha!", alongside a fire emoji, while Crysencio Summerville, who inherited his number 10 jersey, posted two 'love-heart eyes' emoji's to show his appreciation.
Raphinha a reminder of what could await Leeds United next season
Raphinha's form at the start of the new campaign has been firmly in the world-class bracket, and with United back in the Championship, it's still mind-blowing to think that pair were intertwined so recently.
The Whites and their former winger have taken divergent paths since Raphinha joined Barcelona in the summer of 2022 – the summer which fed into Leeds' relegation from the Premier League.
Daniel Farke's side did everything but seal an immediate return to the top-flight last season, but after their failure to achieve promotion, Raphinha's heir apparent Summerville also departed for West Ham.
Getting back to the Premier League, and the financial windfall this would bring, could allow United to unearth gems like Raphinha once more, and avoid players like Summerville being plucked from the side.
Farke will hope the likes of Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon, both signed in the last week of the 2024 summer window, can have similar impacts, as United aim to get back to the top at the second time of asking.
In other Leeds United news, the club’s Supporters’ Trust praised Hull City’s vice-chairman after what he did before their match on Saturday.
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