Valverde praises Rafinha

CAIRO – 2 August 2018: Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde showed his admiration to the performance of the team’s Brazilian midfielder with the team at the pre-season tour in America.

The Brazilian was one of the key players at the first two games against Tottenham Hostpurs and Roma, scoring a goal at the latter.



“I think Rafinha has done very well in both games and in practice, he has a great attitude towards the game and in my case, this is the first time I've worked with him properly,” Valverde told the press after Barcelona’s 2-4 loss to Roma.

The midfielder suffered a serious injury on April 2017 and he was sidelined until January when he was sent on a six month loan to Inter Milan.

Rafinha, born in Brazil, joined Barcelona’s academy when he was 13 and he spent most of his career inside the Catalan club.

He joined the first team in 2011 and he went on a one-year loan to Celta Vigo in 2013 before returning to Barcelona to play under Luis Enrique’s command.

Rafinha established himself a regular player in the last three seasons with Barcelona. He won the 2015 UEFA Champions League title, two Spanish League titles and three Spanish Cup titles.

Rafinha won Olympic Gold Medal with Brazil in 2016 Rio Olympic games.