Raphinha's Childhood - From Almost Being a Drug Trade's Grip to Glory
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Now an important winger for Barcelona, Raphinha has come from tough times in Brazil. He now looks back at how he could've fallen into the world of drugs-a path that indeed swept away many souls in his hometown.
The 27-year-old attacker has become irreplaceable for Barcelona, especially in the early season. This season, he has played 11 games for the Catalan giants in La Liga, scoring once and providing an assist. In the Champions League, though, he became especially prolific, scoring four goals in just three matches. Yet, this success story began with humble and difficult beginnings, where dreams like his rarely found fertile ground to grow. Raised in Restinga, one of the rough neighborhoods of Porto Alegre, Brazil, Raphinha spent much of his childhood burdened with a lack that comes with risks. "It's an ugly truth: I'm from Restinga, and it's tough to carve out a path that's truly your own there without getting lost," Raphinha shared, hinting at the risks youngsters face in these kinds of places. All around Restinga, so many paths were there, enticing yet treacherous, promising quick money; these often lead to a life entangled in drugs and crime. "It's easy to lose your way. I never went down that road, but I was surrounded by people who did", reinforcing how thin the line was between his current life and leading a life of crime.
Raphinha says drug trafficking is a very strong temptation. For so many young people in the poorest districts, drug-dealing is one of the few ways of earning money in a hurry. He resisted the temptation, impelled by his dream of being a professional footballer. "Yes, I lost many friends to this world," he said, speaking with a tone of loss, like he had seen the drug trade consume people that once were part of his life.
He also feels that many of his friends, talented footballers in their own right, would have made successful careers out of the sport on the world stage had they not fallen into that world. "I'm sure they could've played for top teams if things had been different," he added.
His struggle wasn't just about resisting dangerous influences around him, as Raphinha often grew up in poverty, devoid of the basic needs a person needed to at least get food and transportation. I was hungry on the streets, and when I asked for help, people saw only a beggar. I had to wait for hours just to catch a bus that'd take me to training. It was much for a 12-year-old kid," he remembered. All this branded him with scars which never faded but kept his determination going to pursue football when the world was against him.
In 2018, Raphinha’s journey took a major turn when he moved to Europe, signing with Sporting CP in Portugal. From there, his career began to take shape. After Sporting, he moved to Stade Rennais in France, and then to Leeds United in England, where he made a name for himself in the Premier League. Finally, his journey led him to Barcelona, where he now shines as one of Europe’s top wingers. This path through multiple countries and leagues was not easy, but it was a journey that proved his resilience and talent.
Today, Raphinha’s story is an inspiration, not just for his skill on the field but for his perseverance off it. His journey from the challenging streets of Porto Alegre to the grand stadiums of Europe is a testament to his courage, resilience, and dedication to his dream.
Tags:
#barcelona
Raphinha's Childhood - From Almost Being a Drug Trade's Grip to Glory
 |
| Raphinha celebrates after scoring Barcelona’s fifth goal in the La Liga match against Real Valladolid. (AP pic) |
Raphinha says drug trafficking is a very strong temptation. For so many young people in the poorest districts, drug-dealing is one of the few ways of earning money in a hurry. He resisted the temptation, impelled by his dream of being a professional footballer. "Yes, I lost many friends to this world," he said, speaking with a tone of loss, like he had seen the drug trade consume people that once were part of his life.
He also feels that many of his friends, talented footballers in their own right, would have made successful careers out of the sport on the world stage had they not fallen into that world. "I'm sure they could've played for top teams if things had been different," he added.
His struggle wasn't just about resisting dangerous influences around him, as Raphinha often grew up in poverty, devoid of the basic needs a person needed to at least get food and transportation. I was hungry on the streets, and when I asked for help, people saw only a beggar. I had to wait for hours just to catch a bus that'd take me to training. It was much for a 12-year-old kid," he remembered. All this branded him with scars which never faded but kept his determination going to pursue football when the world was against him.
In 2018, Raphinha’s journey took a major turn when he moved to Europe, signing with Sporting CP in Portugal. From there, his career began to take shape. After Sporting, he moved to Stade Rennais in France, and then to Leeds United in England, where he made a name for himself in the Premier League. Finally, his journey led him to Barcelona, where he now shines as one of Europe’s top wingers. This path through multiple countries and leagues was not easy, but it was a journey that proved his resilience and talent.
Today, Raphinha’s story is an inspiration, not just for his skill on the field but for his perseverance off it. His journey from the challenging streets of Porto Alegre to the grand stadiums of Europe is a testament to his courage, resilience, and dedication to his dream.
Tags:
#barcelona
#rapinha
#brasil
#spanish league
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