RIO DE JANEIRO, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Former Brazil international defender Rafinha has announced his retirement from professional football, ending a career that spanned more than 20 years.
The 39-year-old had been undecided about his future since leaving Brazilian Serie B side Coritiba in March.
"Today I officially announce the end of my career as a professional soccer player," Rafinha told Sportv. "It's been a wonderful journey and I didn't expect to get to where I am today.
"It's with a heavy heart that I'm ending something that I've done my whole life. But everything has a beginning and an end, and I have no regrets. I achieved everything that I wanted to in football."
Rafinha began his career at Coritiba in 2002 before moving to Germany's Schalke in 2005. The right-back later played for Genoa, Bayern Munich and Flamengo, among others, before returning to Coritiba in December last year. He was capped four times for Brazil. ■
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