Barcelona Star Raphinha Opens Up on Tough Background, Reveals He Begged on the Streets Just to Feed

• Brazilian star Raphinha has opened up on his childhood back home in Brazil as he revealed how he asked for food on the streets
• Raphinha also said many of his friends got involved in crime and drug trafficking but hailed the impact of his family in preventing him from doing so
• The 25-year-old winger who hails from Porto Alegre in Brazil moved to Barcelona this summer for a £56million fee from Leeds United

Barcelona summer signing, Raphinha has opened up on the tough challenges he faced while growing up in Brazil before being successful with football.

The Brazilian forward who grew up in one of the poorest communities in Porto Alegre, revealed he used to ask people for money on the street before he could eat.

Raphinha also said many of his friends got involved in crime and drug trafficking just to escape poverty but revealed his family prevented him from doing the same, Marca reports.

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"They promise an easier way to earn money. And that's where people get lost. I never went off the path, but I was a witness, I walked alongside people who were getting lost.

"I lost a lot of friends in the world of crime, in the drug trade. Friends who played 10 times better than me and who could have been in a great football club in the world.”

Raphinha who joined Barcelona this summer for £56million has also earned nine caps for Brazil, scoring three goals, and is anticipated to play for them at this year's World Cup.

Raphinha says Barcelona move was a dream

Meanwhile, Raphinha has disclosed that moving to Barcelona from Leeds was a dream come true for him and it was all he had wanted as a footballer, Leeds Live reports.

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The 28-year-old spent two years with Leeds and became one of the standout stars at Elland Road before sealing a deal to join Barcelona this summer.

Raphinha has had a superb start to his Barcelona campaign and is one of Xavi preferred starters at the Camp Nou.

Raphinha fulfills childhood dream and signs for Barcelona

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Brazilian winger Raphinha said Friday that he is "fulfilling a childhood dream" as he was officially presented as a new Barcelona player.

Barca announced Raphinha's arrival after reaching an agreement with Premier League side Leeds United, but without giving details of the length of his contract or the transfer fee.

The Brazilian has signed for five seasons and Barca would pay Leeds around 55 million euros plus another 15 million in potential add-ons.