Rafinha ahead of Flamengo: Bayern take on the best team from South America

Who could be better qualified to analyse CR Flamengo than Marcio Rafael Ferreira de Souza? The parallels were too obvious. The 39-year-old played for both clubs and won six titles with Flamengo from 2019 to 2020 – including the Copa Libertadores. The long-established club from Brazil achieved a similar feat to FC Bayern in 2020, when the German record champions won the sextuple. We are of course talking about FC Bayern’s former crowd-pleaser Rafinha. We called the Brazilian, who lives in Rio, to talk about the upcoming Club World Cup round of 16 clash between his two former clubs.

“Neuer is my best friend in football”

“Of course both clubs have a big place in my heart. I’m looking forward to this top match,” Rafinha says on the phone while playing with one of his four children in Rio. “But of course I was at Bayern for much longer, eight and a half years. I have very good friends at both clubs, but my best amigos are at Bayern,” says Rafinha. He is in contact with Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer almost every day, for example. “I played together with Manu for 14 years. He’s my best friend in football.”

When it comes to Flamengo, Rafinha is in touch with head coach Filipe Luís in particular. They played for the Red-and-Blacks in 2019. FCB must keep a close eye on forwards Gerson (“A superb player”) and top scorer Giorgian de Arrascaeta on Sunday at 22:00 CEST, according to Rafinha. He knows both from his active time, as well as left-back Bruno Henrique and centre-back Léo Pereira.

Champions League and Copa Libertadores winner

Former right-back Rafinha, who recently became an FC Bayern Legend, celebrated numerous successes in Munich from 2011 to 2019, including seven German championship titles and the UEFA Champions League in 2013. After joining Flamengo from FCB in 2019, Rafinha enjoyed the aforementioned record-breaking year in Rio. “Flamengo had never won six titles within one year, no Flamengo fan will ever forget that time,” says Rafa. The Brazilian only lost three of his 50 matches for Flamengo.

How Rafinha sees Flamengo

What do FC Bayern have to expect on Sunday? “Flamengo know what awaits them. Bayern must respect Flamengo, they can be dangerous. FC Bayern have higher individual quality, but Flamengo have some of the best players in South America. I think Flamengo aren’t without a chance. But with all due respect for Chelsea, Bayern are a different calibre, the level is different. I’m curious to see how they prepare for it,” says Rafinha. Taken altogether, Munich are clear favourites for him.

Rafinha will cover Sunday’s match for Brazilian TV as a pundit – like every match of his two ex-clubs. “For me, Flamengo are the best team in South America. They’ve been very strong in the last few years in particular. They’ve signed players from Europe recently.”  Jorginho or Danilo, for example. Their style is similar to FC Bayern. “They value possession and dominance, which is what makes them dangerous,” Rafinha analyses. Flamengo can look back on a long tradition and have more than 40 million fans. FC Bayern will be up against some of the enthusiastic Brazilian fans in Miami with its Latin American roots in the round of 16.

Brazil shapes the Club World Cup

Besides Flamengo, the other Brazilian sides Palmeiras, Botafogo and Fluminense have advanced to the Club World Cup round of 16. Palmeiras from São Paulo progressed to the quarter-finals when they beat reigning Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo 1-0. “The strong performances surprise me. But Flamengo are now up against the toughest opponents. Along with Manchester City, PSG, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, Bayern are the best team in Europe,” says Rafinha. “But we mustn’t underestimate one thing: the Brazilians can now play without pressure, they have nothing to lose. They want to spring a surprise now, it suits their style.”

How does Rafinha think it will end on Sunday? “The chances are 60-40 for Bayern. Of course they must weather the heat at 16:00 local time in Miami. But if they turn in a good display, they’ll advance.” Can Munich round it off with a big international title like in 2013 or the 2020 sextuple year? Rafinha is certain: “Of course! Bayern are favourites for the title. They have an incredible squad and a superb coach, Vincent Kompany is doing a great job.”

What do the German record champions have to prepare for in the round of 16? A look at the club reveals what makes CR Flamengo dangerous.