Raphinha shares a heartwarming hug with former Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa ahead of Brazil’s Copa America exit against Uruguay

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• Raphinha reunited with former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa at the Copa America
• The midfielder previously credited the impact Bielsa had on his career

Raphinha shared a warm hug with his former Leeds coach Marcelo Bielsa ahead of Uruguay’s Copa America win over Brazil.

Bielsa signed Raphinha for Leeds from Rennes in 2020, with the winger breaking into the Brazil squad and earning a move to Barcelona.

Brazil star Raphinha has previously thanked Bielsa for the impact he has had on his career and the bond between the pair was evident ahead of the match.

However, Uruguay coach Bielsa was all smiles after the match ended as his side won 4-2 on penalties to reach the Copa America semi-finals.

Uruguay were reduced to ten men when Nahitan Nandez was sent off in the 74th minute, but they prevailed on penalties, with Manuel Ugarte scoring the winner.

Raphinha started the game before being substituted in the 82nd minute.

Uruguay will now face Colombia in the semi-finals of the competition.

During his time at Leeds, Raphinha scored 17 goals and provided 12 assists in 67 games. He joined Barcelona in 2022 for £50m, winning LaLiga in his first season at the club and playing 29 times for Brazil.

Bielsa was in charge of Leeds from 2018 to 2022 and has been widely praised for the work he has done, which has included guiding the club to promotion to the Premier League.

In 2022, Raphinha stated that he could not have reached the stage of playing for Barcelona and Brazil if it was not for Bielsa’s influence.

Raphinha told Mundo Deportivo: “He helped me a lot from the first moment I arrived at Leeds. Always ask for more, the best.

“He helped me get into the national team and Barca. If it wasn’t for his guidance, I probably wouldn’t be here. He was an important person for me and my career.’