Leeds United: Whites employee names one thing Raphinha does better than 'Messi and Ronaldo'
Leeds United star Raphinha's ability to do the "dirty side" of the game sets him apart from the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
That is the view of former Leeds striker and club ambassador Noel Whelan, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the 25-year-old attacker.
Raphinha has been Leeds' standout performer this term and his all-action performances have apparently extended to the training pitch.
Per the Yorkshire Evening Post last Wednesday (2 February), teammate Adam Forshaw hailed the Brazilian's "rough and readiness" at Thorp Arch.
Whelan saluted Raphinha and insisted that "Leeds are lucky to have a player like that."
"I've said this from the word go," he told Football Insider's Russell Edge
"Yes. he's full of flair. Yes, he's eye-catching with his brilliance and trickery. But you can't play for Leeds unless you do the dirty side of the game.
"It's one thing that sets him apart from Messi and Ronaldo. They have never been ones for tracking back to win the ball back.
"This guy does everything to win the game. You can see this when he's in possession and, more importantly, when he's out of possession.
"He's just one of these players who works for 90 minutes, helping his teammates. Leeds are lucky to have a player like that."
This site broke news last Thursday (3 February) that Raphinha, who has eight goals and two assists this term, is close to agreeing a new contract.
Football Insider revealed the following day that a new deal at Elland Road will take the winger's value to around the £60million mark.