After his six months spent at Inter and the deception of not seeing his buying option used, Rafinha is now at Barcelona where he hasn't a lot of spaces to play. He'll face Spalletti's Inter this Wednesday and has went back on this six months in Serie A spent as a key player in an interview to Mundo Deportivo:
"Wounded by Inter? It's not the right word. I only spent a few months there, even if they were really good and I got back my physical capacities after a long injury. The fans and my teammates have treated me like I was home. It wasn't planned to leave but there were no obligation to stay according to the contract. Did I expect them to use the buying option? I knew the club was happy with me, I thought they would do it but it didn't happen.
The best aspect of my adventure at Inter? I've found confidence again, I think this is the most important thing. I felt like a footballer again and the happiness of doing what I like most. It's been a brutal and incredible experience. I've been surprised by how excellent my teammates were, it was a fantastic group. It's crazy, Inter made me remember how people live football in Brazil. Nostalgia? These are really nice memories to say the truth".
Will Wednesday game be strange? Obviously. It was a big surprise when I saw the draw but also a motivation. I want to meet again with my former teammates and the people that welcomed me so well. I was in a meeting with my friend Xavi, who's also played in Italy. When the notification arrived on his phone he told me: "Look who we'll face". Imagine my face when I read Inter. Spalletti? He's really strong tactically. He pays a lot of attention to the little details. He also has really good players and a team that can play very well.
Icardi? I've met him for the first time at 15, when I got in Barca's academy. We've studied together and the friendship started there. He's helped me a lot in the first days in Milan. He's an incredible footballer".
