Benfica winger Rafa has retired from the Portugal national football team, the footballer said on Monday in a statement sent to Lusa news agency.
“Today I informed the coach Fernando Santos and the FPF. [Federação Portuguesa de Futebol] my unwillingness to represent the national team. I think this is an honest and correct decision at this stage of my career. I ask that personal reasons be respected by everyone, ”the message posted by the player reads.
Rafa, 29, has made 25 senior appearances without scoring a single goal.
The Benfica striker made his debut for Kinas on 5 March 2014 in Leiria, winning 5-1 in a friendly against Cameroon under Paulo Bento.
“I represented the national teams 40 times, helped win Euro 2016 and the Nations League and I will always be at the forefront supporting our team. the League of Nations and the 2022 World Cup,” Rafa concluded.
The FPF also said goodbye to the winger: “The FPF management respects the decision made by Rafa, who lived with us two of the greatest achievements of the national team, Euro 2016 and the Nations League. Rafa will forever remain one of us and is the creditor of our recognition and gratitude.”
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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