Former Bayern Munich and Brazil rightback Rafinha on Tuesday encouraged young soccer players in Taiwan to balance education with athletic ambitions, during a youth soccer event in Taipei.
“The only way to succeed in football is to fully dedicate yourself and practice with 100 percent effort. At the same time, you should not stop studying, because not everyone can succeed in the sport,” said the seven-time German Bundesliga champion, who visited Taiwan at the invitation of Bayern sponsor Allianz’s local subsidiary.
Since 2012, Allianz Taiwan has selected promising young players to attend training programs at Bayern Munich’s youth academy in Germany.
Photo: CNA
“It is my honor to participate in this event on behalf of Bayern Munich,” said the 40-year-old former defender, born Marcio Rafael Ferreira de Souza.
Rafinha said his lowest point as a player came in 2012, when Bayern finished runners-up in the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal to Borussia Dortmund and then lost the UEFA Champions League final to Chelsea on penalties at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
“But we had a very good coach who helped us bounce back to the top within a year,” he said, referring to the following season’s treble under manager Jupp Heynckes.
Born in Brazil, Rafinha obtained German citizenship in 2015.
Asked about next year’s FIFA World Cup, he said that he hoped Brazil and Germany would meet in the final and that he would be satisfied either way.
“As long as it is not Argentina again,” he added.
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