Firsts: Rafael

Brazilian right-back Rafael reveals his personal firsts. We wonder if he still bears a grudge against his brother…

First training session at United
I was 15 at the time and my brother and I came to train with [Academy coach] Paul McGuinness. I remember he showed us a video of Pele – it was fantastic.

First United game you attended
That’s an easy one to remember. It was United against Roma [10 April 2007] and we won 7-1. It was incredible. Not a bad introduction, hey?

First day at school
I remember it very well. I cried a lot. I didn’t want to be at school that day, I just wanted to go home.

First pair of football boots
They were Umbro boots, I remember that much. But they were very simple, I doubt they make them anymore.

First hero
Roberto Carlos. I remember watching him and wanting to emulate the way he played.

Pet
It was a cat, but to be honest it wasn’t mine. It belonged to the neighbourhood. He would come and go all the time but he often