Raphinha's full press conference: It's hard not to be affected by criticism, but we must face it

On November 14, Brazil will play a friendly match against Japan in Singapore. The two teams previously met in the World Cup Round of 32 this year, where Brazil came from behind to win 2-1. Raphinha did not play in that match due to injury. Before the upcoming match, Raphinha, who will serve as captain, attended a press conference and discussed the controversy surrounding his previous remarks, his injury, and his thoughts on the Japanese team.

Hello, Raphinha, welcome to Singapore. I'm CJ from a local Chinese media outlet. My question is, during the World Cup, you missed two knockout matches for Brazil against Japan and Norway due to injury. This time, you have the opportunity to lead the team as captain against Japan. What are your expectations for this match?

I have good expectations for this match. Obviously, we are undergoing a generational change in terms of personnel, but I see many talented players who are very eager to wear the Brazil jersey and give their all. We also know that, in my opinion, this will be a World Cup-level match, just like what happened in the last World Cup. It will be a very difficult match; we know the strength of the Japanese team, but I think we are well prepared, have trained well, and are ready for this match.

Welcome to Singapore. I'm Melvin from The Straits Times. As far as I know, you underwent surgery in advance to be able to represent Brazil in the November friendly. What made you feel it was necessary to do so? As captain, do you feel you bear more responsibility for the younger players?

Actually, I had surgery in advance to be able to wear the Brazil jersey again and come here. I had a minor ear problem, nothing special or serious, but I had to take care of it and have this surgery to be here.

I also want to thank the Singaporean fans for their love for us. I feel like everyone has given me a very warm welcome. Every day, people come up to me for photos or to sign jerseys and pictures. Seeing their enthusiasm not only for me but also for all the Brazil players makes me very happy. We will do our best and perform well for the fans here.

It's great to see you back with the Brazil team. Raphinha, I'd like to start by asking you about your previous remarks and the reactions they caused. We've been following you here and know that you've unfortunately suffered many injuries this year: during the March international break, the World Cup, and the last international break. I also generally understand the context of that reporter's question at the time, but some people think you might have made that a condition for coming here. So I'd like to hear you talk about what you said then and the reactions it caused afterwards.

Since the first time I wore the Brazil jersey, I have always expressed my desire to be here very clearly. I have never given up on the Brazil team and have always done everything possible to be here. There have been times before when I might not have been able to come, but I always did my best, doing everything in my power to be here and wear the Brazil jersey. For me, it has always been an honor, a privilege, and always will be. No matter how long I stay here, that will not change.

When I heard that question and gave my answer, I felt that I had made my meaning clear. At least from my perspective, I thought I was very clear. Everyone also needs to consider everything I went through during the last three call-ups: I suffered three injuries in almost the same spot on my leg. What I really wanted to say was just to take care of myself.

I had three injuries, and of course, I didn't want to get injured again. I want to remain available not only for Brazil but also for Barcelona. My point is, if I'm in good physical condition, the coach can rely on me. As long as I'm in good physical condition, I will always be ready to play for Brazil.

But unfortunately, when we are not in good physical condition, whether here or at the club, we can't play. That's what I meant by those words. Obviously, I wasn't saying I would decide which games I should play and which I shouldn't. Of course, I hope to participate in all the games I can and play as much as possible; that won't change.

I also said in an interview about my contract extension that I would always give my all as long as my body allowed. Once I realize my physical condition no longer allows me to perform at the level I should, I will be the first to step down because I am very demanding of myself. Back to your question, my remarks did indeed cause a negative reaction, but at the time, I felt I had explained myself very clearly. However, that's part of it. Unfortunately, these things are part of it.

Why did you pause for so long just now? Was it because you couldn't find the right words? Did this topic affect you? I want to know how you view the negative reactions you just mentioned. There was widespread criticism; do you think it was just because of those words? Do you feel that the outside world is now more critical of the Brazil team or of you? In this period when Brazil failed to win the World Cup and faced questioning, do you feel you have become a representative figure bearing these questions? How do you view this overwhelming criticism? Did it also affect you?

The pause just now was also because I couldn't find the right words to express what I wanted to say. But I am very clear that wearing the Brazil jersey means very high demands. I believe we must always be prepared to give our all, and wearing this jersey means always striving for the best results. Because in my opinion, this is the greatest team in the world, and I have no doubt about that.

We carry the expectations of the entire nation; everyone always wants to see Brazil not only win but also play well. So we know that when the results are not satisfactory, we will be criticized for it, and we should accept that criticism.

I believe that when things are not going well, we players, the coaching staff, and management will be the first to step forward and face the problems. But I can guarantee you 100% that we are all giving our all, constantly striving to improve, hoping to be in good physical, technical, and tactical condition at important moments. Everyone here wants Brazil to achieve the best results, not only at the team level but also at the individual level. I believe all players want to perform at the highest level they can when wearing the Brazil jersey.

Criticism is hard not to affect us. We are also human, and even if we try not to let certain things affect us, it's normal and natural to be affected. I believe anyone in my position, or the position of other Brazil players, would feel bad when criticized, suddenly facing so many attacks, knowing that they have given their all.

But I understand, I fully understand. As I said, we must be prepared to face all the criticism that may come. Because wearing this jersey means a lot, and we must understand that along with the fans' support and the honor of wearing this jersey, there will also be a lot of criticism.

I don't think we've had a chance to hear you talk about the World Cup before. Considering you were in great form and playing excellently for Barcelona at the time, getting injured in the second match of the World Cup must have been very frustrating for you. I'd like to hear you talk about how you dealt with everything from the moment of the injury until Brazil's elimination, when you couldn't help on the field. What was that period like for you?

For me personally, it was indeed very frustrating because at the time, I felt I was a very important member of the Brazil team. Of course, my physical condition at that time was not 100%; I was just recovering from an injury. If I remember correctly, after getting injured against France, I only played two games for Barcelona.

The injury I sustained then was a re-rupture of the scar from the previous injury against France. So I felt my body was indeed not 100%, but once on the field, we don't think about these things; we just want to give our all.

I personally have always been someone who wants to give 100% on the field. Many times, doctors and physiotherapists would tell me to calm down a bit, to control myself, but that's just my personality, I can't do it. I also tried to change my playing style, but as long as I can play, I will give my all. However, our bodies also react. When we repeatedly suffer some injuries, we need a little more time to recover. And at that time, I felt I didn't have time to recover, and I had to give my all no matter what. Unfortunately, in the end, that's what happened.

Not being able to help the team in the final stages of the World Cup was very frustrating for me. I feel that if I could play, if I could be on the field, regardless of my physical condition, I would do so. But I was indeed very frustrated that I couldn't help Brazil in the last few games.

I want to go back to your remarks, and understand more specifically what you had already discussed. Although many people misunderstood your words, I think our understanding at the time was that this should have already been something you discussed, and I believe that's what you intended to convey. What was that conversation with the coach like? Considering you are still in the recovery phase after injury, what exactly did you agree upon for this international break?

No, there was nothing special about our conversation. It was a very normal discussion, and it took place after what happened in the last international break. We talked very casually in the locker room about taking care of ourselves, getting our bodies to 100%, and not just thinking about how many minutes to play on the field.

He also knew my physical condition at the time, not just then, but also my physical condition when I came to Brazil this time. Even now, I am still recovering from injuries. I played a few games after returning to Barcelona, but only one full 90 minutes, which was the most recent one.

There was nothing special about our conversation; it was a very casual exchange. He talked to me about these things, and also to some other players who needed to manage their playing time a bit and strive for optimal physical condition. There was really nothing special, just a very relaxed, casual conversation.

I'm Kiyomi Nakamura from Asahi TV. For the Japanese team, fans, and media, this third encounter with Brazil will be very special because Japan finally has the chance to play against a Brazil team with Raphinha. This might be a bit intimidating, a bit worrying, but everyone is also very excited. What do you think of the Japanese team? What is your impression of them? The Japanese team has been improving recently; what areas do you think they have improved in?

As I said before, in my opinion, playing against Japan is like playing a World Cup match, just like what happened recently. I think the Japanese team has many excellent players; they are in great physical condition and are very well organized tactically on the field.

So I think it will be a very tough and complicated match. But in my opinion, such a match is also very important for us to see where we stand, what areas we can improve, and what we can achieve on the field, not only individually but also as a team. So, in my opinion, playing against a strong team is a very good test.