Manchester United’s Rafael believes that twin brother Fabio’s loan move to QPR has been the making of him as a player.
Vote for Rafael in the 2012 Samba Gold Trophy
The fullback says that spending time apart has been beneficial to his career as he established himself as United’s first choice rightback this season.
Rafael told reporters: “It’s been a good experience. At first I was sad but I’ve come to see that it’s made me grow up a lot. I’ve had to change and become more responsible.
“Those first few weeks were really tough – 22 years and we’d hardly spent any time away from each other.
“Now we don’t see each other too much, although he still comes back sometimes and we speak on the phone every day.
“I’m getting older, I don’t feel young any more. Everybody still thinks of me as this teenage boy who’s only just arrived at the club.
“But I’m 22 and a father now – I’m not a kid any more.”
Rafael is one of our 30 nominees for the 2012 Samba Gold Trophy which recognises the best performing Brazilian playing in Europe this season.
