La Liga star risks angering his former Premier League club after naming Arsenal as one of his favourite clubs

Barcelona star Raphinha did not name former club Leeds when asked which European clubs he liked - but did choose Premier League leaders Arsenal.

The Brazil forward joined Camp Nou in the summer, leaving Leeds after two successful seasons at the club.

Brought to Elland Road by Marcelo Bielsa, Raphinha scored 17 goals and provided 12 assists in two Premier League seasons.

In his final game for the Whites, he scored the opening goal in a 2-1 win over Brentford that kept the side in the division on the last day of the season.

It was expected that he would depart Leeds in the summer, and he was linked with a range of elite sides, including Chelsea, Arsenal and Barca.

But Spanish outlet Sport claimed that he only wanted to move to Camp Nou, and did so for a fee of £55 million in July.

Although there were initial fears he may not be able to be registered, due to Barca's ongoing financial problems, he has scored four and goals and provided four assists in 21 La Liga appearances this term.

He also scored and assisted during his side's 2-2 draw with Leeds' fierce rivals, Manchester United, in the Europa League last week.

Speaking in a new interview, Raphinha has named some of his favourite clubs in European football - but did not mention one club in particular.

Raphinha names favourite clubs

Speaking in an interview with TikTok star Adri Contreras (via Fabrizio Romano), Raphinha stated that the only club he would never play for is Real Madrid.

He then added: "Other Spanish clubs I like? Only Barca. Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are two clubs I like outside of Spain.

"I'd like Messi to return to Barca, of course. I know he's great but when I saw him, I was even more surprised."

Although the Brazilian not mentioning Leeds may come as a surprise, he did express his admiration for the club after his exit - and added that he would always follow them.

Posting to his official Instagram account, he said: "Everywhere I've been, I've always rooted for a team, which I identify with.

"Leeds will be no different. For sure in England it's the club I'll always be 'following' and cheering as a fan, because it is the club that allowed me to live one of my biggest dreams, which was to play in the Premier League."

But the forward naming Arsenal as a club he likes will surely peak the interest of Mikel Arteta's side, who have been linked with a move to bring him back to English football if he ever decides to leave Barcelona.