Raphael Dias Belloli, known professionally as Raphinha, was born on 14 December 1996 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Growing up in the Restinga favela, he navigated a difficult childhood that included limited resources and community-level football tournaments. Since beginning his senior career, he has played for clubs across Europe before establishing himself as a significant figure at Barcelona.
Early Development and Youth Career
Raphinha spent his formative years playing in community-run várzea tournaments in Porto Alegre, where he competed on clay pitches without standard infrastructure. Although he trained with the youth setups of Grêmio and Internacional, both clubs released him due to his small stature. He subsequently moved through the youth ranks of Porto Alegre, Audax, and Imbituba before finding a breakthrough opportunity at Avaí in 2015.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →European Transition
In February 2016, Raphinha moved to Portugal to join Vitória de Guimarães. His performance at the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior attracted the attention of Deco, who facilitated the transfer. After two seasons, he joined Sporting CP in 2018, contributing to a domestic double of the Taça de Portugal and Taça da Liga in 2019. He later completed a move to Ligue 1 club Rennes, helping the team secure a third-place finish and qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
Premier League and Barcelona
Raphinha joined Leeds United in October 2020. During his tenure in England, he became a central attacking force, notably scoring a penalty on the final day of the 2021–22 season to ensure the club avoided relegation. In 2022, he transferred to Barcelona for a fee of €58 million. He subsequently experienced a performance surge during the 2024–25 campaign, contributing to a domestic treble and finishing as the Champions League top scorer.
International Representation
Raphinha made his senior debut for the Brazil national team in 2021, having never competed at the youth level for his country. His international career has included appearances in major tournaments, specifically the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 2024 Copa América, and the 2026 World Cup.
Fast facts
- Born: 14 December 1996, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Professional debut: 13 March 2016
- Barcelona transfer fee: €58 million
- Senior international debut: 2021
- First professional club: Vitória de Guimarães
- Languages: Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese
Questions readers ask
Did Raphinha play for any youth national teams?
No, he was never capped at the youth level for Brazil.
Which clubs did Raphinha play for before his move to Barcelona?
He played for Avaí, Vitória de Guimarães, Sporting CP, Rennes, and Leeds United.
