“It’s an incredible honor,” says Rafinha, reflecting on his time at Bayern Munich. “To work alongside coaches who’ve won everything—both as players and managers—has been a dream. I’m grateful every single day to be in peak condition and to represent such a powerful club like Bayern.” Having spent six seasons with the German giants and collecting more than 15 trophies, Rafinha believes he’s proven himself worthy of playing alongside the best players and coaches in the world.
Despite not always getting the minutes he hoped for, Rafinha acknowledges the stiff competition he faced. “I was going up against one of the greatest right-backs in history—Philipp Lahm. He never dipped in form. He won the World Cup, the Champions League—everything. Competing with him was incredibly tough, but even so, I still played in 28 matches that season, and we won the Bundesliga. Personally, I was happy.”
The coach who left the deepest mark on Rafinha was Pep Guardiola. “He changed me the most. He taught me so much and gave me a ton of confidence. Over three seasons under Pep, I played in more than 120 matches. A lot of people thought I wouldn’t make it at Bayern, but Pep’s arrival changed everything. He even transformed Lahm into a central midfielder. Those were dream-like years—we won so many trophies together.”
Rafinha also recalls how his image evolved during his time in Germany. “When I first arrived, people saw me as a rough player. But little by little, things changed. People began to see another side of me—the joker, the guy who always tried to lift the mood. Over time, those bonds turned into real friendships. Now I’m proud to be seen as a leader in the dressing room.”
He emphasizes the importance of team spirit. “In Germany, we spend more time with our teammates than we do at home. That’s why maintaining a positive atmosphere is so critical. We’re all human—we all have problems—but while we’re at Bayern, we have to stay happy. Of course, that’s easier said than done when you’re under pressure to win every game and perfection is the expectation.”
That’s exactly why Rafinha takes it upon himself to keep spirits high. “If someone looks down, I’ll go over and ask if I can help. Even if I don’t play, I’ll still do this. I’ll talk with the coaches if I have questions, but when I’m back in the dressing room, I’ll keep things upbeat. That’s the responsibility of a senior player. A bad mood can spread, and I won’t let that happen.”
Rafinha has no shortage of great memories at Bayern. He fondly recalls lifting the Champions League trophy at Wembley and winning the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco—an especially significant competition for South American players. But the match that stands out the most wasn’t a final or title-decider. It was a UEFA Champions League clash against Manchester City.
“We won 3-1 in the end and completed over 100 passes. We were up against top players like Agüero, David Silva, John Terry, and Fernandinho. The level of football in that game was unreal. In the second half, we held possession for over eight minutes straight—it was historic. That match is one I’ll never forget. I still rewatch it from time to time because it was pure joy to be part of.”
According to BD Cricket’s sources, Rafinha’s reflections offer not only a look back at a trophy-laden career but also a tribute to leadership, humility, and the importance of camaraderie in elite football.