Leeds United winger Raphinha has played down an exit from Elland Road, amid links with Liverpool and Manchester United. The 24-year-old en...
Leeds United winger Raphinha has played down an exit from Elland Road, amid links with Liverpool and Manchester United.
The 24-year-old enjoyed an impressive debut season in the Premier League, having scored six goals and provided nine assists for Marcelo Bielsa's side.
His performances have caught the attention of many top European clubs, and Raphinha has admitted that it is surreal to see his name linked with such big clubs.
Speaking to Brazilian publishers UOL Sport, the Leeds attacker admired legends of the Premier League: "It is difficult to explain how I feel when I hear speculation about giant teams like Liverpool and Manchester United being interested in signing me.
"Man, I grew up watching these teams on TV. I saw Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo, but I also saw Steven Gerrard, as well as others like Thierry Henry, Deco, Frank Lampard. There are so many players of such quality that it is difficult to say if I mirrored one of them.
"I think I mirrored the league, you know? I loved watching it and dreamed of playing here. Today I'm making people happy with my football. I am not only talking about the other clubs, but also Leeds, who were the ones who took a chance on me.
"I have four years remaining on my contract and I'm not even thinking about leaving here for exactly this reason: I am happy and making others happy."
Raphinha went on to talk about his relationship with players at Liverpool and Manchester United: "It's funny that I have friends at both clubs [Liverpool and Manchester United]. Bruno Fernandes played with me for a year that seemed like many more at Sporting and he became almost like an older brother.
"We talk every day but not about football, more just our antics. Even though it's from a distance, it helps me a lot. At United there's Alex Telles. I can't even tell you how many times I have played against him, he's a tough player, but always with respect. There's Fred, who's from the south too."
Raphinha played 30 league matches for Leeds this season, and helped his side finish ninth in the Premier League in the Whites' first season back in the top flight of English football for 16 years.
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