Rafinha has championed the case of Schalke team-mate Kevin Kuranyi for inclusion in the Germany squad.
Striker tipped for Germany recall by Schalke team-mate
Rafinha has championed the case of Schalke team-mate Kevin Kuranyi for inclusion in the Germany World Cup squad.
Germany manager Joachim Low has closed the door on Kuranyi since he walked out on the team in October 2008.
Low's side were playing Russia in a World Cup qualifier in Dortmund, but having failed to be selected in the 18-man squad, Kuranyi left the stadium at half-time and did not return to the team hotel.
The striker has been in fine form in the Bundesliga this season and Rafinha believes he should be forgiven and recalled to the squad.
"Every person, every player has done something wrong in life at some time. Kevin, too. Now he suffers from the consequences of it," the Brazilian told
Sport Bild.
"He is well worth giving a second chance. If I was head coach, I would take him with me to the World Cup.
"There is no reason from a sporting viewpoint to ignore him."
Staying at Schalke
Rafinha's own future has been the subject of speculation but he insisted last week that he had no plans to leave Schalke.
The right-back admits that the temptation will always be there to embark on a new challenge, although he remains committed to seeing out his contract.
"Every supporter is aware that I have been a player of this club for five years now," he stated.
"And everyone will understand a player wants to play for another club and breathe a different sort of air.
"But I have a contract to run until June 2011 and I am going to see this deal out.
"I have enabled one part of my family to come over here and my mother as well as my daughter will also be on their way to me.
"This is saying everything. I am going to be at Schalke until 2011."
