Bayern Munich right-back Rafinha caught some attention last year because of a request for dismissal from the Brazilian national team, then led by coach Dunga.
On Tuesday, in an interview with Fox Sports, the player explained that his decision to reject the call up by the coach at that time was on the account of Dunga himself. Rafinha said that Dunga did not call him up two years and so decided to focus only on Bayern Munich. Now, with Tite, the scenario is different and Rafinha pointed out that he has played well at Bayern to perhaps be remembered by the coach. He said: “I did not say no to the Brazilian national team. At that moment I asked for a dispensation. Dunga had been in charge for two years and I had not been called in. I was not even in the top four for the position. I was never being called up and I preferred to give Bayern Munich top priority at that moment.”
Rafinha added: “I was invited by Dunga in 2008. I was grateful to him. I was called up, and several times that year. Now I was not. Now if the committee thinks I should be picked, I am at their disposal.But I don’t like to talk like that, Because otherwise people think I’m digging, but if they think I should go, they’ll call me in. I’m playing for Bayern, the best team in the world, always playing and winning titles.”
Despite this, Rafinha emphasized that the Brazilian team is well served by right-backs. He said: “Dani Alves, it’s not because he’s my friend, but he’s been playing at a high level for many years. Daniel, for how he’s playing, has to be in the national team. There’s Fágner of Corinthians, and Danilo of Real Madrid is a great player. The Seleção is well served for the right-back position.”
Rafinha has been playing in European football for 11 years, and expressed his interest to return to Brazil. The player, now 31, has a contract with Bayern Munich until June 2017.
Bayern Munich right-back Rafinha caught some attention last year because of a request for dismissal from the Brazilian national team, then led by coach Dunga.
On Tuesday, in an interview with Fox Sports, the player explained that his decision to reject the call up by the coach at that time was on the account of Dunga himself. Rafinha said that Dunga did not call him up two years and so decided to focus only on Bayern Munich. Now, with Tite, the scenario is different and Rafinha pointed out that he has played well at Bayern to perhaps be remembered by the coach. He said: “I did not say no to the Brazilian national team. At that moment I asked for a dispensation. Dunga had been in charge for two years and I had not been called in. I was not even in the top four for the position. I was never being called up and I preferred to give Bayern Munich top priority at that moment.”
Rafinha added: “I was invited by Dunga in 2008. I was grateful to him. I was called up, and several times that year. Now I was not. Now if the committee thinks I should be picked, I am at their disposal.But I don’t like to talk like that, Because otherwise people think I’m digging, but if they think I should go, they’ll call me in. I’m playing for Bayern, the best team in the world, always playing and winning titles.”
Despite this, Rafinha emphasized that the Brazilian team is well served by right-backs. He said: “Dani Alves, it’s not because he’s my friend, but he’s been playing at a high level for many years. Daniel, for how he’s playing, has to be in the national team. There’s Fágner of Corinthians, and Danilo of Real Madrid is a great player. The Seleção is well served for the right-back position.”
Rafinha has been playing in European football for 11 years, and expressed his interest to return to Brazil. The player, now 31, has a contract with Bayern Munich until June 2017.
