Rafinha hopes to fill the massive void at Bayern Munich left by Philipp Lahm's retirement. - © © DFL DEUTSCHE FUSSBALL LIGA
Rafinha hopes to fill the massive void at Bayern Munich left by Philipp Lahm's retirement. - © © DFL DEUTSCHE FUSSBALL LIGA

Rafinha aiming to make Bayern Munich right-back berth his own after Philipp Lahm's retirement

xwhatsappmailcopy-link

Rafinha hopes to establish himself as the successor to Bayern Munich legend Philipp Lahm and feature prominently for the Bundesliga record champions this season.

The Brazilian was both blessed and cursed to play alongside Lahm from his arrival at Bayern in 2011 to his right-back rival's retirement at the end of last season.

With Lahm employed in midfield by Pep Guardiola, Rafinha enjoyed a solid run on the right side of the back four. Carlo Ancelotti preferred to use Lahm in defence, limiting Rafinha to just ten Bundesliga starts last term.

With Joshua Kimmich, his most likely rival for the position, still on holiday after featuring for Germany in the FIFA Confederations Cup, Rafinha, 32, has his sights set on claiming the berth for his own.

"I try to do my work. I played with Philipp Lahm for six years and even so I have played 200 games for Bayern Munich," said the former Schalke man, who has made 136 top-flight appearances for the Reds and started Wednesday's Bundesliga World Tour friendly against Arsenal.

"I hope that I will get more games this season. I have the quality to do that."

Click here for more Bayern Munich news and features!

Watch: Philipp Lahm's magnificent career