Raphinha shares heartwarming embrace with former Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa before Brazil's Copa America exit against Uruguay

Raphinha shared a warm embrace with his former Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa prior to Uruguay's victory against Brazil at the Copa America.

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

Brazil star Raphinha has previously thanked Bielsa for the impact that he has had on his career and the bond between the pair was evident before the game.

However, it was Uruguay coach Bielsa who was left smiling after the match was over, with his team winning 4-2 on penalties to reach the semi-finals of the Copa America.

Uruguay had been reduced to ten men when Nahitan Nandez was sent off in the 74th minute, but they managed to prevail on penalties, with Manuel Ugarte netting the decisive spot-kick. 

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

Uruguay will now take on 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 £50million, winning LaLiga in his first season at the club, and has played 29 times for Brazil.

Bielsa was in charge of Leeds from 2018 to 2022 and received much praise for the work that he did, which included guiding the club to promotion to the Premier League.  

In 2022, Raphinha stated that he wouldn't have been able to get to the stage of playing for Barcelona and Brazil if it wasn't for Bielsa's influence.

Raphinha told Mundo Deportivo: 'He helped me a lot from the first moment I arrived at Leeds. Always demands 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 for my career.'