The sun may finally be shining in Manchester, but energetic United full back Rafael is ditching the hallowed Old Trafford turf for a summer of samba.
The 22-year-old had arguably his best season yet for the Red Devils, despite a red card against Chelsea that rules him out of next season’s Premier League opener.
However, living far from his native Brazil, along with brother Fabio who spent last campaign on-loan at QPR, the youngster enjoys returning home for the simpler things in life.
“I’m going back home this summer,” he told United Review. “I play beach-volleyball there. I like it and I have facilities at my home now as well.
“I love to play it with my friends and I will stay there for all the summer, so it’s nice to be with my friends – it’s very enjoyable.
“When I go back, I always like Fridays, I have an old friend around and we play football and have a barbeque after that – I miss that.
“We have music too, we bring some guys to play songs like samba – It relaxes me back there. Sometimes you have to do these things. It’s a hard season so, when I go on holiday, I want to relax with my friends and family.”
After this season’s success the Brazilian international has now won three Premier League titles and, along with other medals and memorabilia, Rafael likes to place them in the trusty care of his father.
“To be honest, I give them to my Dad and he has a room in Brazil. It’s nice as he has many things in there – shirts, important jerseys, boots, shinpads, everything. It’s nice.”
Image courtesy of SkySports, via YouTube, with thanks.
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