Brazil icon Kaka has discussed how former Leeds United winger Raphinha is an example of a developing trend among Brazilian footballers in recent years. Raphinha spent two years at Elland Road before sealing a big-money move to La Liga giants Raphinha in the summer.
In years prior to that, though, the club in the middle - in this case Leeds - has not always been there, with the likes of Kaka, Roberto Carlos and Neymar all clear examples of that. Kaka moved straight to Italian giants AC Milan from Sao Paulo, Carlos made the switch from Palmeiras to Inter Milan, while Neymar also moved from Santos to Barcelona.
Speaking to beIN SPORTS, Kaka explained that the route Raphinha took the top is not the same as many of Brazil's legends have done in years gone by, but does think that this is enabling them to grow 'outside of the country'.
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He said: “Right now, in Brazil, it changes a little bit because most of the players before we use it to go to the first team at the age of 17 or 18. Then, for at least three years in the first team, then move to Europe. This was the pathway.
“Today, with the other markets, a lot of things change. A lot of players are going out at 15 or 16, so a lot of them are growing outside of the country. It changed a little bit. At the age of 17 or 18, it’s really hard to understand what’s going to happen. Between 18 and 23, I think this is a key age to move to Europe and to understand if this guy going to do that.
“We are seeing now, a lot of Brazilians going to another club, before going to a big club. So, Raphinha was playing in Leeds. Then he went to Barcelona. Antony was at Ajax, then he went to Manchester United.”
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