Raphinha's signing remains one of Victor Orta's finest purchases throughout his 17-year career as a scout and football executive. The Brazilian's addition to Marcelo Bielsa's squad in the autumn of 2020 bolstered Leeds United ranks in attack ahead of a top half finish in the club's first season back in the top flight for almost two decades.
With 15 goals and 12 assists to his name, in just shy of 60 senior appearances for the club, Raphinha has been nothing short of a revelation at Elland Road. Undoubtedly the club's most talented player, and among a select group alongside Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips as one of the most influential, Raphinha has left a considerable impression.
Over the coming months, speculation over the 25-year-old's future will continue unabated, as clubs of Barcelona's ilk circle, aiming to catapult the full Brazilian international into Champions League football next season. Raphinha's impact, not solely on Leeds United but with Brazil, cannot be understated; he has scored three times and registered two assists during his first seven appearances for O Seleção.
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Upon signing for Leeds United from French club Stade Rennais, Raphinha had not made his Brazil debut, and the suggestion he would be in contention for a place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar was a long way off. At least, that's what the player himself believed, but not everybody involved in the negotiations shared that view.
In an interview with Radio Marca, Director of Football Victor Orta has spoken of the day Raphinha signed for Leeds United, and the conversation that took place between the pair: "The player walked through the door of Leeds United and I said to him: 'You'll invite me to the World Cup in Qatar, won't you?' and he looked silly, he didn't believe it," Orta said.
"And now we have been fulfilling those goals," he added. "Now he knows that Leeds and his coaching staff, who have helped him a lot, have helped him to grow and he has responded to us with a lot of quality and by being a differential player in the league."
Raphinha missed this month's international break due to a positive COVID test ahead of the 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, denied the chance to compete alongside his countrymen in Brazil's dead rubber World Cup qualifiers. The side secured their place at the Finals some months ago but given Raphinha's importance in recent international camps, a place within head coach Tite's squad later this year seems probable.
