
(foto: Getty Images)
Rejected as a teenager for being too small, Raphinha defied all odds, rising from the streets of Porto Alegre to become one of the world’s best footballers and a star at Barcelona.
Today, Raphael Dias Belloli, better known as Raphinha, is one of the top footballers in the world. At 28, he is a key player for Barcelona and a potential candidate for the Golden Ball. However, unlike many players who reach his level, Raphinha’s journey was anything but ordinary, filled with struggles, rejections, and a relentless pursuit of his dream.
Dreaming of Ronaldinho in the favela
Raphinha grew up in the Restinga favela, on the outskirts of Porto Alegre in southern Brazil. His father, Rafael Belloli, was a drummer for the band Samba Tri, which was the favorite of Porto Alegre’s most famous footballer, Ronaldinho. During his Barcelona days, Ronaldinho often invited Samba Tri to perform for him in Spain, and upon returning to the favela, Raphinha’s father would tell stories about the magical world of Barcelona. The entire neighborhood would even wear jerseys gifted by Ronaldinho. These stories fueled Raphinha’s dream of one day playing for the Catalan club.
Life in the favela, however, was tough. “Our house was so small that we all slept in the same room—my parents, my younger brother, and even the dogs and cats,” Raphinha recalled. Yet, the hardships didn’t deter him. Football became his escape and ambition.
Facing rejection and the wild world of varzea
As a teenager, Raphinha went for trials with Porto Alegre’s two biggest clubs, Gremio and Internacional, along with other academies. Each time, he was told the same thing: he was too small and too weak. With no club accepting him, Raphinha turned to varzea tournaments, informal matches organized by the local community. These games were played on dusty fields with no nets or uniforms, often featuring players with something to prove.
“It’s like the Wild West, man,” Raphinha said. “These are rejected players. They play with anger, as if their lives depended on it.” The fans could be just as intense. “People would bang on the dressing room door, threatening us. ‘If you win, you’ll never get out alive.’ But that’s where I learned toughness. If you can play there, you can play anywhere.”
A breakthrough at last
Raphinha finally got his chance at Imbituba, a small club where a scout noticed his talent and brought him to Avai. At 18, he joined Avai’s youth team, and in 2016, he earned his first European move, signing with Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal.
His skills flourished in Europe. In 2018, he joined Sporting CP, where he struck up a friendship with Bruno Fernandes, now captain of Manchester United. He then moved to Rennes in France before making his mark in the Premier League with Leeds United. In the 2021/22 season finale, Raphinha scored a crucial goal against Brentford to ensure Leeds’ survival, earning Man of the Match honors.
A dream come true: Barcelona
In 2022, Raphinha’s childhood dream became reality. Joan Laporta, the same Barcelona president who had signed Ronaldinho, brought Raphinha to Camp Nou for €58 million. “Many players say they dreamed of playing for a big club, but in Raphinha’s case, it’s absolutely true,” Laporta said.
For the boy who grew up in poverty, rejected by countless clubs, and honed his craft in the gritty world of varzea, signing with Barcelona was the culmination of years of perseverance and hard work.
A legacy of resilience
Today, Raphinha stands as one of the brightest stars in world football. His journey from the Restinga favela to Barcelona is a story of resilience, grit, and belief in one’s dreams. He has shown that even when faced with rejection and adversity, success is possible through relentless effort and determination. Raphinha’s story isn’t just about football; it’s an inspiration to anyone chasing a dream.