Rafinha: Late wages no excuse, fans should trust board again | OneFootball

New São Paulo sporting director Rafinha was introduced at the Barra Funda training center early Tuesday afternoon (27th) and gave his first press conference to the media, addressing recent controversies at the club and sharing his vision for the future in his new role at his beloved club.

One of the thorny topics the former right-back had to address right away was Crespo’s statements after the loss to Palmeiras in last weekend’s derby, when the Argentine coach said that Tricolor’s goal in the Brasileirão is to reach 45 points to avoid relegation. Rafinha tried to ease the situation.

“It was a statement made after a game, a loss in the derby. Crespo has the support of the board, the president, the football department. At that moment, he spoke from the heart. Sometimes it’s not the right time to respond in the right way. Of course São Paulo doesn’t enter the league just to get 45 points. I’ve said this as a player. We were in a bad moment in 2023 and I made that statement,” the new director began.

“We know our situation. Without any arrogance, respecting the moment the club is going through. São Paulo will never enter a competition just thinking about staying up. São Paulo is too big. Everyone knows the greatness of this shirt. That statement was because of the moment, the loss in the derby, but it’s not São Paulo’s mindset. Not even Crespo’s. He knows the size of this club. He was a champion here. At São Paulo, we have to aim for the title.”

Rafinha also spoke about the delay in payments to players on the squad, acknowledging it’s not a normal situation, but stating this cannot become a crutch for players to justify their defeats on the field.

“Today I’ve already seen all the efforts being made to set things right, to find a solution for what’s pending. All the problems, delayed salaries, cannot be a crutch for the players. It can’t be a crutch for anyone. I was a champion with delayed salaries. We won the Copa do Brasil with delayed salaries. That’s not normal. In no profession is that normal. But we understand the moment,” said Rafinha.

“With all due respect, we can’t lean on that. Political crisis, delayed salaries… No. I know what each one can deliver on the field. We know it bothers us, but that’s my role too. We have to keep things moving. And the recovery starts with victories, performance, attitude, posture. That’s my job. There will be a change in attitude and posture. This moment won’t end tomorrow, it’s a process and it takes time. I’ll try to take away that crutch,” he declared.

Since the end of 2025, São Paulo has appeared more in police pages than sports pages, due to scandals and accusations involving some of its directors, many of whom are no longer at the club, such as former president Julio Casares.

The fans are tired of believing in lies and unfounded promises from the Tricolor board and have lost confidence in the men running the club. But Rafinha asked for a vote of confidence, citing the credibility he built throughout his career as a player.

“I trust the people who are here. I know the character of everyone here. I know the board, the football department, all the staff. The fans have every right to believe or not believe. But I’m here. I’m putting my face out here because I know the people who are here. I’m sure the fans know Rafinha, I’ve always been very credible, I’ve never had a stain on my image.”

“If I’m putting myself out here, it’s because I trust these people. I ask the fans to understand this moment. Without the fans, São Paulo doesn’t move forward. I lived this as a player and now as sporting director. This mistrust will exist. We know it won’t go away overnight, but I ask for your trust. I’m not the savior. But I came to help,” said the Tricolor.

GAVE UP PEACE AND QUIET

“This moment is very good, because I was very comfortable at home. I never stopped following the club. Everyone knows I’m a São Paulo fan. I never tried to please anyone, that’s not my character. But it’s a good kind of confusion. I like being in the locker room, in the stadium, in this environment. I couldn’t miss being here, living this moment.”

“Difficult moments are for big people. I was very comfortable at home. I had time for everything. But that’s not what I wanted. I wanted to be here. I thank the people at TV Globo. But I was born on the field, I lived my whole life this way.”

RESTORING CONFIDENCE AND THE MORUMBI

“Brazilian players are very different from other cultures, from other players around the world. This confidence will be restored. I know all of them. Sometimes a loss in a derby is costly. Morumbi can’t be just another game, just another stadium for those who play against São Paulo. São Paulo is very strong at home. That’s how it has to be. That’s how it will be.”

EVEN BAYERN WILL HELP

“Everyone knows how annoying I am and how annoying I was as a player. The players themselves know. Everyone knows how I am. I’m very annoying. I think Germany made me this way. To be very disciplined. I’ll always be seeking knowledge. I have a lot of connections in Germany. I spoke with the directors at Bayern Munich about this new challenge.”

“And they all made it very clear to me. Whatever I need, they will support me. Any information, anything new to implement, I’ll always be willing. Or even to go there. Not just in Germany. I’ve worked with so many coaches and directors.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.