Rafinha

The Brazilian from Sao Paulo had an unusual start in life after moving to Spain with his father, who played professional football for Valencia. Rafinha and his older brother Thiago Alcantâra both joined Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy, but he spent a season on loan at Celta Vigo before Barca’s manager at the time, Pep Guardiola, gave him his chance.

In five seasons at Barcelona – together with a year on loan at Inter Milan (2017-18) – Rafinha built a very impressive résumé of three Spanish league titles, four Copa Del Reys and four Spanish Supercups, not to mention a Champions League victory in 2014-15. Rafinha even won an Olympic gold medal with the Seleçao in 2016 alongside both Marquinhos and Neymar Jr.