“Today I informed coach Fernando Santos and the FPF [Federação Portuguesa de Futebol] of my unavailability to represent the national team. I think this is an honest and correct decision at this point in my career. I ask that the reasons, of a personal nature, be respected by everyone”, reads the message sent by the player to Agência Lusa and already shared on the Federation’s official website.
Rafa, 29, has 25 caps for the senior team, without scoring a single goal. The player, who had not been called up for nearly a year, was called up by Fernando Santos for the next double commitment of the National Team, against the Czech Republic and Spain, to count for the League of Nations. Thus, he must be replaced in the next few hours by another player.
Fernando Santos promotes the return of Tiago Djaló, Rafa and João Mário: those called up by the National Team for the League of Nations
The Benfica striker made his debut on March 5, 2014, in Leiria, in a 5-1 friendly win against Cameroon, under the command of Paulo Bento.
“I represented the national teams 40 times, helped win Euro 2016 and the Nations League and I will always be on the front row supporting all of our teams. I am sure that the national team will continue to bring joy to the Portuguese, starting with the Nations League and the 2022 World Cup”, concluded Rafa.
The FPF also said goodbye to the winger: “The FPF management respects Rafa’s decision, who lived with us the two great achievements of the National Team, the 2016 European Championship and the League of Nations. Rafa will always be one of us and he deserves our recognition and thanks”.
Source: Observadora
