Leeds star Raphinha has revealed he grew up with Ronaldinho as his idol and friend because of his dad. Raphinha’s dad Maninho is a boyhood pal of Ronaldinho and they come from the same city in Brazil of Porto Alegre.
The winger says he grew up knowing the former Brazil and Barcelona star and that he was his hero and greatest inspiration. Raphinha is still close to Ronaldinho and he sent him a congratulatory video message for scoring his first Leeds goal against Everton in November.
Raphinha then dedicated his goal against Southampton to Ronaldinho’s mum who died last month from coronavirus. “My dad was a childhood friend of his so we ended up being close,” he told Sky Sports. “Because of the person he is, I’ve always been inspired
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