The Brazilian winger, in an exclusive interview with Flashscore News, recalls the moment he heard his name in Tite's squad, the daily dream of lifting the trophy and the friendships built in Portugal that he maintains to this day.
How did you receive the news that you were in Brazil's 26-man squad for the first World Cup of your career?
"I waited almost two months for the official announcement. I was very anxious during that time. I was at home, I knew the time of the squad announcement and I waited, nervous, but very confident that I could be part of the squad. I was obviously very happy with the news, representing my country in a World Cup is an immense honour."
Raphinha's first World Cup...
"The first of many, God willing. I'm going to prepare the best way I can and keep working hard so that I can be part of more Brazil squads."
This is an atypical World Cup, because of the country and the time of year it takes place. For the players, who are used to the routine of a normal season, is it complicated?
"What I can say is that it's different. I only watched the other World Cups on television but to have a competition like this, in this period, is different from all the others. The final will be close to Christmas. It's going to be different to any other World Cup, in a different country to any other. But a World Cup is a World Cup, we have to be prepared for any circumstances."
Brazil are in Group G with Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon. Is it a group that gives Brazil guarantees of going far?
"No group gives you guarantees of anything. All the teams that have made it to this World Cup have had their journey, their difficulties and they will all be very well prepared for it. I believe that, to get to a World Cup, nothing is easy along the way, so they all want to get as far as possible now. I don't believe that there are easy games in a competition like this and I think that the team that is best prepared will be the one that will achieve its objectives."
'Brazil are always favourites'
A group with two European teams and one African. Is Brazil favourite to win group G?
"As a good Brazilian I will answer yes. Brazil are always favourites. But we have to be aware of the difficulties we're going to face and, obviously, we have to respect every team. We have to get to the World Cup and impose our way of playing and our desire to achieve our ultimate goal."
The ultimate goal is to win the World Cup. Is Brazil the biggest candidate?
"Brazil, in every World Cup they play in, end up being one of the favourites because of what they've already achieved in their history. Now we have an incredible squad, with players of great quality and all of them with the desire to win. I see our team as an incredible group, not only because of the quality. Everyone gets along with each other. I see a very strong group to reach the final and win the title."
Have you ever dreamt of lifting the World Cup, after winning the final with a goal from Raphinha?
"Every day, every night I dream of that moment."
Would it be the happiest moment of your career?
"I can put it in the top three. At that moment, yes, it would be the happiest of my career."
You arrive at the World Cup motivated, leaving Barcelona at the head of an always competitive Spanish league. Does that give you the courage to go to Qatar?
"That's for sure. We've managed to keep up a good run of games at Barcelona and maintain our lead before the break. I think that's very important to keep up the confidence as a team but also as individuals. Now everyone is going to their own team and I think we can all do well at the World Cup."
What about a World Cup final against Portugal, a country where you played before? It's possible. Would you be happy?
"Definitely. I've lived through a lot of things in Portugal. I've had some incredible moments, some not so good moments, but I take Portugal as my second home. I always say that to everyone: apart from Brazil, Portugal would be the place I would live after I stop playing, after I finish my career. I identify a lot with the country, the people have welcomed me very well. Hence, obviously, a final against Portugal would be exciting and very remarkable for me."
'Bruno Fernandes is the older brother I never had'
Have you been talking to any friends in Portugal about the World Cup? Back at Sporting you were very good friends with Bruno Fernandes, now at Manchester United...
"I talk a lot with Bruno. Of all the players he's the one I have the most contact with. We haven't spoken about the World Cup yet but I'm sure we'll meet up, either in Qatar or through a call. It will always be a relaxed conversation, we always joke around. Bruno is the older brother I never had. He helped me a lot in Portugal and he continues to help me."
Brazil, Argentina, Germany and France are the perennial favourites to win the World Cup. Where would you put Portugal?
"I see Portugal with a great team, with great players. They can reach a final and win the title. I think it will depend more on the mental and physical preparation of each of the teams. But I see a very strong Portuguese team. I hope that Brazil will be the champion but Portugal have a lot of quality and top-class players to get there."
What message would you like to leave to the Brazilian people, who will naturally support your team in the World Cup?
"The Brazilian people, from what I see after the elections that took place, I see a country divided because of what happened. But I ask them to come together once again, as a united country, to send a positive force to us in the World Cup. We count on the support of everyone so that, together, we can go very far in this World Cup."
