As of: February 7, 2024, 4:52 a.m
By: Johannes Skiba
Comments
Press
Split
Rafinha surprisingly wins the Supercopa in Brazil with FC São Paulo against Palmeiras.
The former FC Bayern defender is celebrating his 26th title.
But it will soon be over.
Belo Horizonte – The career of former FC Bayern player Rafinha is slowly coming to an end.
In October, the defender extended his contract with his club FC São Paulo for the last time.
But at the end of the year it's over.
Despite his advanced football age, the Brazilian continues to play successful football.
The season has only just begun in Brazil, and the 38-year-old can already celebrate his first title of the new season.
Ex-Bayern star Rafinha celebrates second title success with FC São Paulo
Last year, former Bayern professional Rafinha won the Copa do Brasil, Brazil's national cup competition, with the FCSP.
This in turn qualified the team for the so-called Supercopa, in which, as in Germany, the champions meet the cup winners at the start of the season to win their first title of the new season.
For São Paulo it was on a neutral pitch in Belo Horizonte against city rivals Palmeiras.
“Verdão” is the record champion in the country of the five-time world champion and has been a dominant force in South American club football for years.
In the fight for the Supercopa, however, the outsider was able to save himself with a 0-0 draw until the penalty shootout.
In the tense shootout, FC São Paulo prevailed thanks to two saved penalty kicks by keeper Rafael.
Rafinha was in the starting line-up for the surprising success and was substituted in the 60th minute.
Rafinha is overwhelmed by winning the Supercopa.
© Imago/Patricio
Ex-Bayern player Rafinha is overjoyed after the cup success
As captain of the team, Rafinha was then allowed to accept the trophy and lift it into the night sky of Belo Horizonte.
Then there was no stopping it.
Rafinha's teammates grabbed their leader and hoisted him and the trophy onto their shoulders.
The defensive specialist celebrated in tears with his teammates and the fans who had traveled with him.
Rafinha was also in a great mood on the team's return flight and entertained his teammates with a serenade on the guitar.
For Rafinha it was already the 26th title in his eventful career.
The Brazilian celebrated most of his successes with FC Bayern.
The connection to the people of Munich has never been broken.
After last year's cup success, the 38-year-old already announced that he would play his farewell game in the jersey of the German record champions.
(jsk)