Bayern Munich right-back Rafinha has withdrawn from the Brazil squad and has applied for German citizenship in hopes to switch national team allegiances.
Rafinha was set to make his competitive debut after being called up for Brazil's World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Venezuela next month. The 30-year-old had previously featured in a friendly prior to the 2014 World Cup, and in a friendly against Sweden in March 2008.
Rafinha was initially delighted about the call-up and took to Twitter to say that "it's a wonder to be able to return to serve the Brazilian team." Despite the sudden change of heart, the Brazilian FA (CBF) has released a statement indicating their support for the decision.
Maravilha poder voltar a servir a Seleção Brasileira! Feliz demais com essa convocação. @CBF_Futebol pic.twitter.com/k4UF0YocOn
- Rafinha Official (@R13_official) September 17, 2015
The Bayern Munich man, who has started in two of the German champions' six league games of the season and came off the bench in another two, was quoted on the official CBF website as of saying that if he's not the best option at right-back, he'd rather be no option.
"I am not regularly called up. I am not one of the main options for my position, considering that there are other professionals in front of me," Rafinha was quoted.
Seleção Brasileira: Nota de cancelamento de convocação #ImprensaCBF >> http://t.co/R96NQcx0SC
- CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) September 22, 2015
This summer, Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm put his teammate forward to fill the gap Lahm had left after retiring from the national team after Germany's World Cup triumph last year.
However, Germany coach Joachim Low said in late August in interviews with both Suddeutsche and Kicker that "this is not an issue for us."