Among the finest gamers on the planet over the previous 12 months has been former Leeds United star Raphinha. The Brazilian shone at Barcelona, scoring 34 targets and offering 26 assists in simply 57 video games final season beneath supervisor Hansi Flick.
His extraordinary efficiency was positively seen by individuals everywhere in the world. As a fruits of Rafinha’s success final season, he completed fifth within the Ballon d’Or race, with Lamine Yamal changing into the one Barça participant above him.
Within the 2025/26 season, he had a sluggish season attributable to accidents, however he recorded 5 targets and an help in 6 La Liga video games.
Leeds followers will always remember his contribution in his remaining season on the membership.
The significance of Rafinha within the 2021/22 season
Brazil worldwide Raphinha spent simply two video games at Elland Highway this marketing campaign. Though the primary season was performed with out spectators because of the coronavirus, he had already established himself as a fan favourite.
The second marketing campaign was additionally nice and crucial.
Los Blancos narrowly prevented relegation on the ultimate day of the 2021/22 season.
This was Raphinha’s final look for the West Yorkshire workforce, however he scored a vital penalty in a 2-1 win away to Brentford, serving to them keep within the Premier League.
It wasn’t simply that spot kick at G Tech Group Stadium that confirmed Rafinha’s significance. He had 11 targets and three assists over the season, together with seven targets in 10 video games from October to January.
His very important contribution was observed by followers and former gamers alike. One one who could not reward Raphinha sufficient is former striker Noel Whelan. He mentioned the Brazilian had “given all the pieces to maintain Leeds United within the Premier League”, displaying how a lot he meant to the membership.
Leeds had a participant very important to their success throughout final season’s promotion marketing campaign, however he shortly fell out of favor at Elland Highway.
Leeds star is at the moment out of favor
A number of gamers have fallen down the pecking order this season beneath supervisor Daniel Farke following a busy summer season switch window. Illan Meslier and Joel Pillow are two examples of gamers who’ve had little or no involvement this time period regardless of being important to successful promotion.
Properly, one other one who suits into that class is Japan nationwide workforce midfielder Aoi Tanaka. He’s a participant that Farke clearly values, calling him an “excellent” participant final season. Nonetheless, his summer season contract means he’ll battle to interrupt into the workforce this time period.
Final season, the Japan worldwide, who has 34 caps, was a key man within the heart of the park for the West Yorkshire aspect.
He made 43 appearances within the Championship, scoring 5 targets and offering two assists, together with a late aim in opposition to promotion rivals Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
It was on this approach that Tanaka was hailed because the membership’s greatest signed participant since Rafinha. It is simple to see why, provided that the midfield’s contribution was instrumental in serving to Los Blancos return to the Premier League.
After beginning the primary few matches within the prime league this season, Tanaka suffered an harm and has been away from the workforce ever since. Tanaka is unable to characteristic within the line-up as Farke has been thrust into midfield alongside Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff.
Leeds midfielder – 2025/26 | ||
|---|---|---|
participant | video games performed | Play time (in 90 minute increments) |
Ethan Ampadu | 6 | 519 (5.7) |
Anton Stach | 8 | 680 (7.5) |
Sean Longstaff | 8 | 566 (6.2) |
In Tanaka | 6 | 190 (2.1) |
Ilia Gruev | 4 | 193 (2.1) |
Transfermarkt statistics | ||
Maybe Tanaka is on borrowed time at Elland Highway. As soon as a vital determine for the membership, he’s at the moment unable to characteristic beneath supervisor Falke and with continuity seen in the course of the park, it’s tough to see the place his subsequent begin will come from.
Given his key function final time period, the 27-year-old might properly resolve to contemplate his future if issues do not enhance.
After proving his significance, simply as Rafinha did just a few years in the past, his profession definitely went in a special route than issues labored out for the Brazilian.
