Raphinha will have much to thank Deco for. The Leeds United winger’s agent swiped him from Brazilian obscurity and placed him in Portugal’s top flight before engineering his rise through Sporting CP, Rennes and then to the most-watched division in the world.
While Deco has talked the talk with clubs, Raphinha has had to walk the walk and back up his representative’s undoubtedly bold proclamations about Brazil’s next big thing. As he approaches the final two years of his Leeds deal, it is clear Deco and Raphinha are plotting the next phase of his career and where it takes him.
Does it even need to take him anywhere else? Many Whites fans would say not. As they weigh up Raphinha’s options, of which there will be many from Europe’s top table, and deservedly so for the football he has delivered for club and country, the forward would be minded to ensure he is not forced in any one direction.
