Bayern Munich full-back Rafinha, who asked the Brazil FA to release him from their squad and wished to take a German passport, has explained his decision to snub the Seleção.
The 30-year-old was called up by Dunga to the squad for Brazil"s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Venezuela, but he informed CBF that he"s decided to turn down the opportunity, and is working on getting a German passport. Rafinha has been in Germany for over 11 years, and revealed his decision was made after discussing with his family. He told Globo Esporte: “I had to analyze the situation with my family and I came to the conclusion that it was better to ask to be released. I have to be realistic. I spoke with Gilmar [Brazil team coordinator], I said what my desire was. He understood my situation and the history I have here in Germany."
When asked if he fears about criticism from fans as happened before with Diego Costa, he added: “I"m not afraid of anyone. I didn"t see any fan or member of the press ask for my name. I didn"t see anyone doing it. I didn"t see anyone saying my name or that I should be selected. I"ve always been available to the national team."
On the rumors of playing for Germany and taking German passport, he said: “I never had contact with anyone from the German Federation. Nobody ever told me anything about this. I"ve been in Germany for 11 years and I see my future here. I have two and a half years of contract with Bayern, and I am about to renew. I have no reason not to do this. It will be useful for my daughters, for my future. I do not want a passport because of national team. I"m never taking the passport for the German national team, and I don"t even know if the coach counts on me in his team. I will take it [passport] because I want to, and once you have it, anything can happen. I"m doing this now because it is useful for my life, not because of football."
Bayern Munich full-back Rafinha, who asked the Brazil FA to release him from their squad and wished to take a German passport, has explained his decision to snub the Seleção.
The 30-year-old was called up by Dunga to the squad for Brazil"s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Venezuela, but he informed CBF that he"s decided to turn down the opportunity, and is working on getting a German passport. Rafinha has been in Germany for over 11 years, and revealed his decision was made after discussing with his family. He told Globo Esporte: “I had to analyze the situation with my family and I came to the conclusion that it was better to ask to be released. I have to be realistic. I spoke with Gilmar [Brazil team coordinator], I said what my desire was. He understood my situation and the history I have here in Germany."
When asked if he fears about criticism from fans as happened before with Diego Costa, he added: “I"m not afraid of anyone. I didn"t see any fan or member of the press ask for my name. I didn"t see anyone doing it. I didn"t see anyone saying my name or that I should be selected. I"ve always been available to the national team."
On the rumors of playing for Germany and taking German passport, he said: “I never had contact with anyone from the German Federation. Nobody ever told me anything about this. I"ve been in Germany for 11 years and I see my future here. I have two and a half years of contract with Bayern, and I am about to renew. I have no reason not to do this. It will be useful for my daughters, for my future. I do not want a passport because of national team. I"m never taking the passport for the German national team, and I don"t even know if the coach counts on me in his team. I will take it [passport] because I want to, and once you have it, anything can happen. I"m doing this now because it is useful for my life, not because of football."
