Lorenzo worked with Raphinha at Leeds United after the winger arrived from Rennes in 2020. Their relationship became particularly close when Raphinha needed rehabilitation, giving them more time together.
“During the rehabilitation we spent more time together. It gives you more time to talk about things outside football and create a closer relationship. He was a very hard-working, very humble guy, and he also had very clear ideas. I asked him about the Spanish league, and he always told me that his dream was to play for Barça because of Ronaldinho, who was his favourite player,” Lorenzo told SPORT.
Raphinha quickly showed why Leeds had invested in him, with Lorenzo immediately struck by his technical ability and physical output.
“I remember training with him and talking about it with my family and friends. It was crazy, something I had never seen before. While he was still in rehabilitation, I remember we did a finishing exercise. From 20 shots, he put 19 into the top corner. I said: ‘What a player we have signed.’ Physically, his agility, his ball control... Everything. We were the team that covered the most high-intensity metres and did the most sprints in Europe because of Bielsa’s style... and he did the most by far.”
Lorenzo also admired the Brazilian’s commitment to recovery and improvement.
“He is an example. He is very professional. At Leeds he built a hyperbaric chamber at home to focus on recovery. He spoke to me about nutrition, how to recover between matches...”
Raphinha moved to Barcelona in 2022 and did not immediately find his best level, but Lorenzo expected him to become a major figure.
“He simply needed to shine, which is what he is doing. He also needed to have that importance and believe in it. What surprised me was his first spell at Barcelona. I think he was adapting. Because I knew he was a player who was going to mark a before and after. He was going to mark an era.”
Lorenzo believes Raphinha has developed into a complete attacker and an influential leader.
“He was a footballer who made life easier for you because he set work standards that gave an example to every teammate. Having a captain like that, who works so hard and leaves so much on the pitch, both in matches and training, helps the team a lot.”
The lack of Ballon d’Or recognition also surprises him.
“Clearly he is among the best in the world. I don’t understand why he doesn’t have the recognition he deserves. Although, it is also true that he doesn’t seem too affected by it. In fact, it makes him better every day. Maybe it motivates him.”
Lorenzo summed up the intensity that has followed Raphinha since Leeds.
“He doesn’t have a fourth gear, he is always in fifth. He gives everything and he was already like that at Leeds.”