Raphinha has opened up on the key role a Scotland international played in helping him settle at Leeds United ahead of Brazil’s World Cup opener against Morocco.
The Barcelona winger is expected to start for Carlo Ancelotti’s side in their Group C clash at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Saturday.
And speaking ahead of the match, the former Elland Road star paid tribute to ex-team-mate Liam Cooper for helping him adapt following his arrival in England. Raphinha said: “Liam was a guy who really helped me a lot from the very first day I arrived at Leeds United. [Scottish Sun]
“He helped me to adapt, especially with the language because I didn’t speak it. I had no English at all, and I wasn’t used to the football there, and especially the cold weather.
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“Liam was someone who really helped me adapt into the club and brought me in with all the players. Without understanding anything, he tried to talk to me! I look back, and Liam was someone who gave me peace of mind to be able to play good football at Leeds.
“It was really important to have support from someone like him who had been at the club longer.”
The pair played together at Leeds between 2020 and 2022 before Raphinha secured a £55million move to Barcelona, where he has since developed into one of the game’s top wide players.
