Brazil legend defends Raphinha over injury on international duty – ‘You have to give 100%’ | OneFootball

Barcelona’s season has more or less come to an end after the aggregate defeat to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, for there is now only a formality to complete by winning a couple of games in the league and lifting the title.

The team’s exit from Europe, however, was a shock to many, especially given how Barcelona were the better team across the two legs. 

Lamine Yamal showed his class across both games against Diego Simeone’s side, but Raphinha was sorely missed on both occasions as he was unavailable through injury after suffering a muscular setback on international duty.

Cafu speaks on Yamal and Raphinha

Brazilian legend Cafu spoke to the media recently, where he was asked about a plethora of topics, including the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA World Cup.

Along the way in his interview, he had some serious words of praise for Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and how similar the player is to Neymar Jr.

“They are two phenomena. Two fantastic players. Neymar, when he was young, had the same style as Lamine: go up, haggle, not be afraid, and enjoy playing. I see that similarity between the two,” he said, as quoted by SPORT.

He was then asked to give Yamal advice as a legend of the game, to which he simply said,

“Keep it up, don’t change anything. That nothing changes. May he continue to play football cheerfully, fun, and laughing. Enjoying football is essential.”

Raphinha suffered an injury while away with Brazil. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The former World Cup winner then spoke out on Raphinha’s injury on international duty, although he defended the Brazilian winger for playing at full throttle during the international break.

 “If Brazil calls you, you have to give 100%. Because a World Cup is only eight games now. You have to do your best. Only eight games to go down in the history of world football.” 

“Raphinha has the possibility of making history as a world champion. For this, he will have to dedicate himself body and soul to the national team,” he added.

He was then asked if there was no other way to be more kind on players who are expected to play at full-throttle for both club and country with no respite.

“No, that doesn’t exist. It’s our profession. You’re not going to enter the field against France and not compete. It is impossible to do it at half gas. You are going to play. You’ll want to show.”

“You are going to play 100%. The opposite is a deception. Injury is inherent to us. It can happen at any time: in training, at home, or playing against France,” he concluded.