Raphinha is a follower of Christianity and has publicly demonstrated his faith through traditional religious gestures, particularly his famous knee walk ritual. The Barcelona winger, whose full name is Raphael Dias Belloli, follows a South American Christian tradition where believers walk on their knees as an act of gratitude to God or a saint when their prayers are answered.
Quick Profile: Raphinha
| Full Name | Raphael Dias Belloli |
| Date of Birth | 14 December 1996 |
| Place of Birth | Porto Alegre, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Salary | 12.5 million EUR (2025) |
| Religion | Christianity |
What Religion is Raphinha?
Raphinha is a Christian who openly expresses his faith through traditional South American religious practices. Unlike many modern footballers who keep their beliefs private, Raphinha has publicly displayed his Christian faith through a deeply symbolic act known as the knee walk, a long-standing Christian tradition of worship and thanksgiving.
The Diocese of Leeds explained that enduring the discomfort of kneeling to pray, walking on the knees, or walking barefoot are all part of a very long Christian tradition of worship and showing thankfulness and humility before God. This practice has its roots in Catholic traditions common throughout South America, where believers make promises to God or saints and fulfill these promises through acts of physical devotion.
The knee walk is an act of faith and self-sacrifice meant to honor the pain Jesus suffered on the Cross, and it also serves as a way for believers to feel solidarity with people experiencing poverty or oppression across the world, or simply as a humble way of giving thanks for prayers answered. When Raphinha performed this ritual at Brentford’s stadium after Leeds United survived relegation in May 2022, it captured global attention and moved many people who witnessed it.
According to South American folklore, if your prayer request is answered by God, you show gratitude and appreciation by walking on your knees as a sign of his sovereignty. This is exactly what Raphinha did. After scoring a crucial penalty that helped Leeds United defeat Brentford and avoid relegation on the final day of the 2021-22 Premier League season, he walked the entire length of the pitch on his knees, ending with a prayer at the opposite end of the ground.
What made this moment even more powerful was that Raphinha repeated this knee walk tradition when Barcelona won the La Liga title in 2023, showing that his faith practice is not just a one-time gesture but a genuine commitment to his Christian beliefs. By turning this into an annual tradition whenever his major prayers are answered, Raphinha demonstrates that his relationship with God is central to his life, not merely a public display.
Growing up in Brazil, where Christianity is the predominant religion and particularly Catholicism, Raphinha was likely exposed to these traditions from a young age. Brazil has a rich culture of blending Catholic faith with passionate expressions of devotion, and the knee walk is one such tradition that has been practiced for generations among South American Christians.
While Raphinha does not post Bible verses on social media or speak extensively about his faith in interviews, his actions speak volumes. The fact that he chose to perform such a physically demanding and spiritually significant act in front of thousands of spectators shows a deep reverence for God and a willingness to express his gratitude publicly, regardless of how it might be perceived by others.
Early Life and Family Background
Raphael Dias Belloli, known as Raphinha, was born on December 14, 1996, in Porto Alegre, Brazil, where he grew up in Restinga, a favela far from the city center. His father is of Italian descent and his mother is mixed-race Brazilian, with his father working as a musician. He had a difficult upbringing where he shared a bedroom with his parents, younger brother and pets, struggling to pay travel costs and at times having to beg for food.
Despite not having a rags to riches tale like some Brazilian footballers, Raphinha, the son of Maninho Belloli, faced numerous childhood setbacks on his path to becoming a professional footballer, being labelled as too skinny and repeatedly rejected by Sport Club Internacional in Porto Alegre three times due to his slender build. Even his agent cited examples like Lionel Messi to argue that physical stature does not determine talent, but his appeals were ignored.
Growing up in a favela meant that Raphinha witnessed poverty, hardship, and the daily struggles of ordinary people. This background likely influences his religious practices today. The knee walk serves as a way for believers to feel solidarity with the hardships and humiliations of people experiencing poverty or oppression across the world, making it particularly meaningful for someone who came from such humble beginnings.
Career Highlights
- Early clubs: Raphinha began his football career in Brazil with youth teams. He eventually played for Avaí FC and made his professional debut in Portugal with Vitória de Guimarães in 2016.
- Sporting CP (2018–2019): In 2018 he signed with Sporting Lisbon (Portugal). During the 2018–19 season he was part of the squad that won both the Taça de Portugal (Portuguese Cup) and Taça da Liga (League Cup).
- Rennes (2019–2020): Raphinha transferred to French club Rennes in 2019. In 67 games for Rennes he scored 17 goals and helped the team qualify for the Champions League.
- Leeds United (2020–2022): On 5 October 2020, Raphinha moved to Leeds United in the English Premier League. He scored 17 goals in 67 games for Leeds in all competitions. A key moment came on the final day of the 2020–21 season when he converted the winning penalty in a 2–1 victory over Brentford. That goal secured Leeds’s place in the Premier League for the next season.
- Barcelona (2022–present): In July 2022 Barcelona announced an agreement to sign Raphinha from Leeds for a fee of about €58 million. After some adjustment, he had a breakout 2024–25 season under coach Hansi Flick. He scored prolifically and was integral to Barcelona’s success. In 2024–25 Raphinha helped Barcelona win the Spanish domestic treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España) and he became the Champions League’s top scorer. He has also become a regular for the Brazil national team, playing at the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa América.
Awards and Honors
Sporting CP
- Taça de Portugal Winner (2018-19)
- Taça da Liga Winner (2018-19)
Barcelona
- La Liga Champion (2022-23, 2024-25)
- Copa del Rey Winner (2024-25)
- Supercopa de España Winner (2023, 2025)
Individual Honors
- Vitória Guimarães Breakthrough Player of the Year (2017)
- Premier League Goal of the Month (multiple times during Leeds United tenure)
- La Liga Player of the Season (2024-25)
- La Liga Team of the Season (2024-25)
- Champions League Joint Top Scorer (2024-25, 13 goals)
- Champions League Top Assist Provider (2024-25, 9 assists)
- Ballon d’Or 5th Place (2025)
- Most Goal Contributions in a Single Champions League Season (21, tied with Cristiano Ronaldo)
Raphinha Salary
Raphinha currently earns £12,584,000 per year at Barcelona, which translates to approximately £202,717 per week, making him the fifth-highest earner in the squad. After signing a contract extension in May 2025 that runs until June 30, 2028, Raphinha’s salary was increased in recognition of his extraordinary performances during the 2024-25 campaign.
When he joined Barcelona in 2022, Raphinha more than tripled his salary from what he earned at Leeds United, where he was making approximately £60,000 per week. His initial contract with Barcelona was worth more than €240,000 per week, and his recent extension has further increased his earnings.
Raphinha’s net worth is estimated to be between €35 million and £52 million as of 2025. This substantial wealth has been accumulated through his successful career in professional football, lucrative contracts with top-tier clubs, and various endorsement deals.
Raphinha and Natalia Rodrigues
Raphinha has been in a relationship with Natalia Rodrigues since they first met as teenagers in 2013, but they only started dating romantically in 2021 after Natalia kept him in the friend zone for nearly eight years. The patience and loyalty Raphinha showed during those years speaks to his character and values.
Raphinha proposed to Natalia in a romantic manner, setting up a candle-lit pathway for her to walk down before getting down on one knee with a ring beside a large Marry Me sign. The couple got married in December 2022 in a private ceremony attended by their closest friends and family.
In May 2023, Raphinha and Natalia celebrated the arrival of their first child, a son named Gael. They announced this wonderful news on Instagram, sharing an adorable photo of their family along with a touching message that read, “You know that love that multiplies, who never dreamed of having this in life? My Gael, welcome my son“. Messages of congratulations poured in from various sources, including Raphinha’s Barcelona teammates.
