Rafinha: I stay in Schalke untill 2011.

Gelsenkirchen - Besides a successful phase with his team FC Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga, there were frequent rumors about a possible move of the Brazilian right-back in the month of January. Rafinha always remained silent and decided not to comment on this. Instead, he concentrated on his job on the football field and so demonstrated his affection to the club. After the transfer window is closed, Rafinha speaks about his future in Gelsenkirchen

Q: Rafinha, there have been a lot of rumors in the last month. Can you tell us a little more?

Rafinha: Well, I was on vacation in Brasil during December and January, and when I came back, everybody was speaking about a possible move. Bayern, Madrid, Milan and some Brazilian clubs were named as possible buyers. But in the end, nobody ever spoke with me directly.

Q: Have there been offers?

Rafinha: Schalke indicated that they want to give me away, so it´s quite logical that other clubs thought about it. As a professional footballer, moves are a part of the business. But until a move happens, there is much to be considered. Three sides have to find a solution: The current club of the player, the future club and the player. If one side does not agree, there is no move. It´s as simple as this.

Q: Did you negotioate with other clubs?

Rafinha: Frankly, no. Of course I do think a lot about my future and I try to find out, which of the possibilities is the best for me. But I do not think about this constantly. And if there are talks, these talks are led by my management, Naor and Marcos Malaquias. They know what I want, and I trust them. Besides them, nobody is involved on my side. I do not like to talk, because my focus is on the field: I want to show great performances, i want to focus on my job and to give everything for my team.

Q: Do you want to go away from Schalke?

Rafinha: It is my fifth season for the club now, and if everything was bad here, I would not have stayed for five years. The opposite is true: I like it here very much, we are a part of a great team, we have great fans, and we are successful. Playing in another country is a possibility for me, an experience which I do not want to miss in my career. But in Germany, Schalke is my team. I´ve never said that I want to go to München or to Wolfsburg. Both teams are great teams, but I have a contract in Schalke untill 2011, and I do not intend to go away.

Q: Did you plan to go to a Brazilian Club:

Rafinha: No, not now. I´d like to end my career in Brazil, but there is a long way to go. I´m still a young player, and i want to experience football on the hightest level for many years, but after my career, I think my home will be Brazil.