Manchester United defender Rafael believes Champions League football will boost Brazil chances

BPL, Manchester United and Sunderland, Rafael (Getty Images)

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Manchester United defender Rafael believes that playing in the Champions League has helped boost his chances of getting call-ups for his country.

The Brazilian has been an integral part of the Red Devils’ squad this season, starting half of the side’s games, including the crucial first leg against Chelsea in the quarter-finals.

Rafael earned his first ever call-up last August but did not win his first cap.

And although he has not been selected in Brazilian manager Mano Menezes’ 28-man preliminary squad for the Copa America, the tenacious full-back will be doing everything he can to make sure the boss cannot afford to leave him out of future squads.

“The Champions League is known worldwide,” Rafael told reporters.

“Because we have played in it, the national team recognise me and my brother much more now.

“I was with the national team at the beginning of the season and the more I can play for United, the more chances I hope to get.”

The 20-year-old is looking to emulate great Brazilians of the past, such as Roberto Carlos and Cafu, who he believes epitomise the way the national full-backs play football.

“Every Brazilian player likes to go forward,” Rafael said.

“We learn to attack as small boys. That is what we do.

“My heroes were Cafu and Roberto Carlos, who played the same way, as does Dani Alves. In Brazil it has always been like that.”