Raphinha’s journey from Leeds to Ballon d’Or front-runner

Raphinha is ready to fire Barcelona into the Champions League final Credit: Getty Images/Pablo RodriguezRaphinha’s story of how he arrived in English football is just as dramatic as the last-gasp Barcelona goals that have made him a Ballon d’Or winner in waiting.

With the transfer deadline looming, the Brazilian found himself locked in the Rennes dressing room as his French club desperately tried anything to keep him.

It was the summer window of 2020 and Raphinha played a key role in Rennes reaching the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. Just before the window shut, they were playing Reims and their star forward had scored in a 2-2 draw – but that was just the start of…