Even though it’s Barcelona’s Raphinha who’s going to the World Cup with Brazil, the winger was still at Leeds United when his first cap for the national team came.
That was in October 2021, just over a year ago, and the 25-year-old did well, impressing many people who didn’t know him, and could now even have a starting spot in the team.
Raphinha is featured today in a long interview with Globo Esporte. The outlet is speaking to all the players in Brazil’s squad, and had many questions about his short history at the national team.
Speaking of Raphinha’s first call up, the website recalls that Tite admitted he didn’t know him very well last year, as the national team coach revealed he spoke to former Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa about the player. So they asked the winger if he talked to the former Whites’ manager about that conversation.
“Bielsa didn’t tell me, because I think it might even be impolite to ask,” Raphinha told Globo Esporte.
“It’s a conversation between the coaches, I didn’t ask and he didn’t talk either, but it must have passed that I’m a guy who works a lot, who likes to work, who’s fun, I get along with everyone.
“I do not like to lose. In nothing, not even to lose ‘rock, paper and scissors’ or ‘odd or even’. It’s the end of the world.
“I’m a competitive guy, who wants to win, hardworking, a very good group guy everywhere I go. I think this is very important because our work environment ends up being our home, because we often spend more time at clubs than at home, so I get along with everyone, not only with the players, but with the staff, management and all the staff that helps the group there.”
Raphinha has five goals and four assists in 11 appearances for the national team, and that’s what could guarantee him a starting spot in Qatar. However, since he hasn’t been in great form since leaving Leeds, perhaps that could change, as there’s huge competition for a place in Brazil’s attack.
