The 38-year-old Rafinha played a great match against Flamengo in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil final, where São Paulo won by 1-0. He was the captain of Tricolor and had to guard Bruno Henrique, one of the fastest and dangerous players of the Rio de Janeiro team.
Rafinha is under contract with São Paulo until the end of this season, but plans to play another one to cherish even greater moments.
“I’m living moment to moment. I’m not going to get ahead of myself or say anything, but it’s not news that I’m heading towards the end of my career. That’s clear. I don’t put a date, but I won’t be a hypocrite: I’m heading towards the final stretch,” he said after the match.
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“Let’s wait until this season ends, but I think next year will be my retirement, my farewell to the pitch. There’s still a little bit left. I still want to enjoy these moments that I’m living, because next year I hope to close with a flourish,” he added.
São Paulo took the advantage in the decision and will play the second leg at Morumbi, in front of its fans.
“It’s cool that we won, we managed to win both games, we played another good game. The first is extremely important, even more so away from home, and we have to congratulate the entire team. But there are two games, and there’s no point in winning just one. You have to confirm both.”
