Raphinha: "Following in the footsteps of the Brazilian idols at Barça is a huge honour"

BARCELONA, 21 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The FC Barcelona attacker Raphinha recognized that it is "an enormous honor" to follow "in the footsteps of the Brazilian idols" who passed through the Barça team, and promised commitment and hunger for victories and titles in a stage that he hopes will be for many years.

"I am a happy person, who likes to be on good terms with everyone. I like to always have a smile on my face. A person who is dedicated to everything he does," the Porto Alegre player said this Thursday in an interview with Barça TV that collects Europa Press.

The former Leeds player is one of the great reinforcements for Xavi Hernández's team for next season. "The fans can expect a player who is always fighting to win, who doesn't like to lose to anything. I really want to win, I'm going to do everything to give my best, to help the team", he points out.

"When the team goes well, the individual shows up, I really want to win the League, the Champions League, everything. Individually, I have the dream of winning the World Cup with Brazil and I will stay at Barça for many years. It was a dream to follow in their footsteps of Ronaldinho and Neymar, Dani Alves too, Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, are the Brazilian idols. Following in their footsteps for me is a huge honor, there are no words to explain the feelings", he adds.

Raphinha already spoke about Ronaldinho the day of his presentation and once again showed his admiration for the legendary '10' culé, as well as for Neyamar. "I always talk about Ronaldinho, because since I remember that I began to understand football, it was when Ronaldinho arrived at Barça, I always saw him play, do spectacular things, I always had him as an idol and then Neymar", he confesses.

The Brazilian winger acknowledged a difficult last season at Leeds, fighting for the category in the Premier, and confessed that coach Marcelo Bielsa had a positive influence on him. "It was very important for me, he got me out of France, he gave me confidence, and then I managed to get to the Brazilian team, with the way he made me play, he got the most out of it," he says.

"My real dream was to play professionally in Brazil, to show my work for the Brazilian fans. I didn't get it but I had another chance, to stay in Europe. It was closer to my dreams, to get here, play in the Champions League, play with Brazil. Today I am realizing a bigger dream," he adds.