Well worth a read….
12 things about Raphina…
Leeds United F.C.
Aug 26, 2021
Para ler em Português, clique aqui.
1. I used to get death threats
Man, it happened so many times. We’d be in the away changing room before the game and some mob would knock on the door. I say knock but, you know, they were basically trying to smash it down. They would scream all these things at us.
“IF YOU WIN THIS GAME, WE’LL KILL YOU!"
“YOU’LL NEVER MAKE IT OUT OF HERE ALIVE."
This was at the famous várzea tournaments.
The home of the rejects.
Like me.
Man, it is hard for me to even explain the várzea to you. People in Brazil know what it is, but you have to play in it to understand what it’s really like. You have all the top clubs, right? And every kid wants to get a contract at one of their academies. That means you’ll get some money to help your family, and you might turn pro. But the kids who don’t get in, they end up in the várzea tournaments.
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It really is the Wild West, man. It’s like a network of independent matches and tournaments organised by the local community. The level is a lot lower than at the academies. Any player can just turn up, you don’t even need a contract. You play on clay. Burning heat. Dust and sand. Someone will bring a ball from home. Often there are no nets, just the posts. Bibs? Forget about it. One team just plays shirtless. And these players are the rejects, man. They play with anger. They play to survive. They play like their lives depend on it.
Thankfully, the death threats were just threats. We knew it was the home supporters trying to get into our heads. But you would often see the bosses in the community stand around the pitch with guns. You could be about to score when a random gunshot would go off. Let me tell you, it can kind of put you off! The fireworks too, man.
That’s why I always say that if you can play in the várzea games, you can play anywhere.
A big European final? Don’t care.
A stadium with 90,000 people? Bring it on.
I’m still very proud that I played in so many várzea tournaments.
….read the rest through this link
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/raphinha-leeds-united-premier-league-soccer?fbclid=IwAR0Rd18kAJRpSKL1kFQEzqRgFHLNVHHu4uM8SU8up4ARUTcLFizN5FTrnng
Raphina…his story
posted on 26/8/21
Players Tribune really underrated
posted on 26/8/21
Great read, raph comes across really well.
posted on 26/8/21
Looks a really good player...maybe at liverpool in a year ir 2
posted on 27/8/21
Excellent article.
It is hard to visualise these toughened and gun-ridden communities from which so many of our talented footballers in the English game who have come from various nations throughout Latin American, but sadly these communities and their related social issues such as those Raphinha describes are so real and widespread.
It takes time, but once you build trust it is a privilege to be involved working with those from within these communities, and seeking to give further opportunities for better education, as well as more platforms to showcase their skills and abilities, and not just those in football.
So pleased for Raphinha that he was one who has made it to the echelon of football. Proud that he is Leeds!
posted on 27/8/21
An amazing read that will be overlooked by most Leeds fans. Loved it very second of that. Like many Brazilians, Africans and the like. He came from such brutal and raw surroundings.
The way of life he had was very harsh and on the cusp of death or criminality.
Glad we have him.
posted on 27/8/21
He's a great player, and from what I can gather from the interview, a great bloke too. Thanks for posting this. What an amazing story he has to tell. We can't even begin to imagine what growing up in a Brazilian favela must have been like. Sounds like he has a great family too.
posted on 27/8/21
A great read indeed. Thanks for sharing. From humble beginnings and you can tell he appreciates where he has got to now.