Taipei: Former Bayern Munich and Brazil right-back Rafinha on Tuesday encouraged young footballers in Taiwan to balance education with athletic ambitions, during a youth football event in Taipei.
According to Focus Taiwan, the seven-time Bundesliga champion visited Taiwan at the invitation of Bayern sponsor Allianz's local subsidiary. During the event, Rafinha emphasized the importance of dedication and education, stating, "The only way to succeed in football is to fully dedicate yourself and practice with 100 percent effort. At the same time, you should not stop studying because not everyone can succeed in the sport."
Since 2012, Allianz Taiwan has played a significant role in nurturing young talent by selecting promising youth players to attend training programs at Bayern Munich's youth academy in Germany. Rafinha expressed his pride in participating in the event, remarking, "It is my honor to participate in this event on behalf of Bayern Munich."
Reflecting on his career, Rafinha shared that his lowest point as a player occurred in 2012, when Bayern finished as runners-up in both the Bundesliga and German Cup to Borussia Dortmund and subsequently lost the UEFA Champions League final to Chelsea on penalties. However, he credited the team's resilience to their coach, Jupp Heynckes, who led them to a treble victory the following season.
Originally from Brazil, Rafinha became a German citizen in 2015. When asked about the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he humorously expressed his hopes for a Brazil-Germany final, saying he would be content with either outcome, adding, "As long as it is not Argentina again."