Patrick Bamford Shares Leeds United Dressing Room Sentiments on Raphinha’s Departure
Patrick Bamford has offered a glimpse into the Leeds United dressing room’s reaction to Raphinha’s exit to Barcelona in the summer of 2022, following two impactful seasons at Elland Road. The Brazilian winger, who joined Leeds from Rennes in 2020 for £17 million, became a fan favorite, scoring 17 goals and providing 12 assists in 67 appearances, helping secure Premier League survival. His £55 million move to Barcelona left a void, but Bamford revealed the squad’s mixed emotions on the 72+ Podcast in October 2024.
Bamford described Raphinha as a “top-class” talent whose departure was bittersweet. “We all knew Rapha was destined for bigger things,” he said. “His flair, work rate, and ability to change games were unreal. The lads were gutted to lose him, but there was pride too—he’d earned that move.” The striker noted that Raphinha’s professionalism and bond with teammates, forged through his time under Marcelo Bielsa, left a lasting impression. “Even after he left, we’d talk about his moments, like that worldie against West Brom,” Bamford added, referencing Raphinha’s stunning top-corner strike in a 5-0 win.
The dressing room also admired Raphinha’s gratitude toward Bielsa, who he credited for his rise to Brazil’s national team and Barcelona. Bamford echoed this, saying, “Rapha always spoke highly of Marcelo, and we felt the same. He brought out the best in him, and we saw it every day in training.” Despite the loss, the squad respected Raphinha’s ambition. “You could see he was a cut above, and we wished him well,” Bamford noted.
Raphinha’s recent form at Barcelona, with 30 goals and 23 assists in 49 appearances in the 2024/25 season, has validated the squad’s belief in his potential. Bamford mentioned that players like Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper, who also thrived under Bielsa, often reflected on Raphinha’s impact during discussions about the club’s golden moments. As Leeds celebrated their 2025 Championship title and Premier League return, Raphinha’s two-word Instagram message, “Well done,” to Bamford after promotion underscored his enduring connection to the club, reinforcing the dressing room’s fond memories of a player who left an indelible mark.
