'Messi told me to go and join a big club'
Inter loan signing Rafinha has revealed that his former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez urged him to join a big club to gain playing time.
The Brazilian midfielder had only featured once for the La Liga leaders this season before switching the Camp Nou for the San Siro in January in search of more playing time.
He had numerous clubs interested in his services, but Rafinho chose the Serie A outfit based on advice from his well-known former team-mates.
In an interview with 'Gazzetta dello Sport', the 25-year-old revealed: "Leo [Messi] told me to go to a big club".
"In January I spoke to Messi but also [Luis] Suarez, they explained to me that I was going to a historic club, a big world. I was going crazy thinking about Ronaldo and Adriano [when they were in Inter].
Inter have an option to purchase Rafinha before the end of his loan in a €35million deal that could rise by a further €3m and the Brazilian plans a long-term stay in Milan, with no return to Camp Nou on his agenda.
"Of course, that's what I want. I did not come here thinking that I will recover my form and go back to Barcelona," Rafinha said. "I want to stay here, then all else will depend on Inter".
However, since the switch the midfielder is yet to start for Luciano Spalletti's side, making four substitute appearances in Serie A, but hopes that will change when the Milan club take on Benevento on Saturday.