With the 2022 FIFA World Cup around the corner, FC Barcelona star Raphinha has revealed what Neymar told him about playing for the Brazil national team during his debut.
It is widely believed that Brazil are the favourites to win the upcoming tournament due to the fact that they are ranked No.1 in the world by FIFA and they boast a stacked squad filled with the likes of Antony, Vinicius Junior, and Neymar, among others. Meanwhile, this group has also been touted as the 'golden generation' due to their star-studded squad, which is well-represented across Europe's top five leagues.
Raphinha has quickly found a regular spot in the national team since making his debut in October last year and has already earned 11 caps and scored five goals for his country so far.
The Bluagrana winger has now revealed what Neymar had to share with him when he made his first appearance against Venezuela for the Selecao just over a year ago.
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"I was getting ready to enter the game against Venezuela, that I was going to enter in the second half, and then he, in the locker room, asked me if I was going to enter," Raphinha told Globo.
"I said I didn't know. He asked me if he could give me some advice, and I obviously said yes. I would ask for ten more pieces of advice at that moment if it were possible.
"He told me to be myself, to play the football that got me to the Selecao. The football that made me be there at that moment, to go up, not to lower my head if I lose the ball. Because if I only passed the ball to the side, there would be millions of players to do that.
"So that I could show my personality and do what I know how. And to hear this from Neymar, who is a reference on and off the field, was an immense honor for me. I still carry this with me today."
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