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Barcelona winger Raphinha has spoken about his departure from Leeds United in 2022, revealing he turned down lucrative offers from leading London clubs – widely considered to be Chelsea and Arsenal – to secure a move to the Camp Nou.
In a new interview, the Brazil international called his choice the biggest decision of his professional career.
Snub London’s heavyweights
Raphinha has confirmed his path to the Spotify Camp Nou has not been without obstacles, revealing several London-based clubs are desperate to keep him in the Premier League.
During the summer of 2022, the former Leeds talisman was at the center of a high-profile transfer tussle involving some of the biggest names in English football.
Speaking to TNT Sports Brasil, the 27-year-old reflected on the intense speculation that surrounded his future before ultimately choosing to join the Catalan giants.
“I had offers from a blue team and also a red team from London, but the best decision of my career was to sign for Barcelona,” Raphinha revealed, likely alluding to interest from Chelsea and Arsenal.
Decision paid
BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 17: Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the EA Sports LaLiga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis Balompie at Spotify Camp Nou on May 17, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
While the financial attractions of the Premier League’s elite were great, Raphinha was keen to follow in the footsteps of legendary Brazilians like Ronaldinho and Neymar at Barça.
Since his switch, the winger has justified his decision by becoming a central figure in the team, contributing to a period of sustained domestic success.
The striker has overcome various challenges in Catalonia, including strong competition for places and constant transfer rumors. He nevertheless remains fully committed to the club.
Admire a modern-day genius
Looking beyond his past transfers, the Barcelona star was asked to name the modern player he most wants to share a pitch with, and named talismanic Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane.
Raphinha did not hide his admiration for the England captain: “Yes, he has an excellent sense of positioning, he plays well and scores goals. I put him in the category of very great players. He is close to a genius, but geniuses are very rare at this level.”
A busy summer for Barça
Raphinha could well welcome many new faces to the Camp Nou this summer.
Barcelona have been linked with numerous strikers in what sporting director Deco has described as an “almost impossible task” to replace Robert Lewandowski, who is expected to leave the Catalan club when his contract expires.
Front-runners to succeed the Polish striker at the Camp Nou are reportedly Chelsea striker João Pedro and Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez.
FIFA World Cup 2026: how to watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament games will be broadcast live on FOX (70) and FS1 (34), with each game streaming live and on demand on FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 games, more than a third of the tournament, will be broadcast in prime time on FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opening match between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will be streamed for free on Tubi, along with the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
