Barcelona midfielder Rafinha has claimed that making his Brazil debut against Costa Rica on Saturday was “the happiest day of my life”.
The 22-year-old – who switched his international allegiance to his fatherland in 2013, despite his brother Thiago continuing to represent Spain – played the final 10 minutes of the Selecao's 1-0 win against the 2014 World Cup quarter-finalists.
“It's the happiest day of my life,” he told the Brazilian Football Confederation's (CBF) official website.
“I had imagined it many times, but the reality's even better. When I was a child, playing in the street with my brother Thiago, I dreamed of being one of the great figures who won the World Cup in 2002.
“It's thanks to them that I've always wanted to wear this shirt.”