Knee betrays Rafinha: "Soccer, goodbye"

Rafinha announced that his career as a professional soccer player has ended. The announcement was made through videos in Spanish and Portuguese posted on the 32-year-old’s social networks: he explained that the very painful decision is related to the most recent physical problem he had and that is a knee injury.

“After a period away from the fields, following a long rehabilitation, today I want to share an important decision for me: the time has come to retire from soccer. A little over a year ago I suffered a serious knee injury that, unfortunately, prevents me from returning to compete at the highest level. Accepting this has not been easy. Soccer has been my life for as long as I can remember, and realizing that I would no longer be able to devote myself to it as I always have was a difficult process” he admitted.

During his career, Rafinha (brother of Thiago Alcântara and son of former Lecce and Fiorentina world champion Mazinho) who grew up in Barcelona’s youth sector, has also played for Celta Vigo, Inter (17 appearances and two goals for him in the Nerazzurri in the first half of 2018) and Real Sociedad in Europe, in addition to his recent experience at Al-Arabi, Qatar, a club whose colors he has worn since 2022. At the national team level, he started in the youth team of Spain me then moved on to Brazil’s Under-20s and went on to be called up and wear the Seleçao jersey.

Aldo Seghedoni

“Football has given me unforgettable moments and allowed me to work with great professionals, who made me realize how privileged I was to be able to call myself a footballer. Today begins a new phase, different, without the adrenaline of high competition, but full of reasons to smile” he explained.

The video released by the now former player shows a series of moments from his career, for example when he played for Barcelona alongside the wonder trio formed by Messi, Suárez and Neymar, as well as images from when he played in the youth sector of the culé club. There are also videos of Rafinha, still a child, playing with the ball next to his brother.

“I have learned to look back with gratitude. Mine has been an incredible journey. I have had the opportunity to live in different countries, learn a new language and come into contact with other cultures. I have met people who have marked me forever. I have shared the locker room with idols and extraordinary teammates. I have worn badges on my chest that I admired as a child, and I have felt the support and passion of the fans in every stadium where I have set foot”, he concluded.