Raphinha has vowed to repeat the same celebration he did when Leeds United secured Premier League survival if he wins the World Cup this winter. The competition in Qatar is set to get underway in less than a weeks time and Raphinha's Brazil are the favourites to life the trophy for a sixth time.
Raphinha has been a key player for his nation since his debut just under 12 months ago and are fancied by many given they possess a number of superstars in their squad including the likes of Neymar, Vinicius Junior and Alisson. Though there is still plenty of football to be played between now and lifting the trophy, Raphinha already knows how he would celebrate.
He told Marca: "I have not thought about anything if we are champions, but now is a good time. If we are champions I will do the same as when I achieved permanence with Leeds, which crossed the entire field on my knees."
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When Raphinha helped Leeds survive with a final day victory at Brentford in May, he confused everybody as he crawled the full length of the pitch on his knees in celebration. Some reports stated that this is a South American ritual to repay god for the wish you requested.
This appears to be something that we could regularly see throughout Raphinha's career, providing he is successful. In an interview with La Vanguardia earlier this year, Raphinha revealed this is how he would also celebrate if Barcelona won the Champions League, though that will not be possible this season after they were eliminated in the group stages.
He said: “The same thing I did with Leeds when we managed to secure survival in the Premier League. I would crawl across the length of the pitch on my knees.”
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