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Rafinha: 'Returning to full fitness is a weight off my mind'

Pascal Rossignol / REUTERS

The wait is finally over for Rafinha after the Barcelona midfielder was declared fully fit Thursday following six months on the sidelines with a knee injury.

The Brazilian was ecstatic when speaking with Barca TV about his return to the team, and stressed the importance of family and friends in helping him get through a difficult obstacle in his burgeoning career.

"This is a moment of immense joy," he said. "Returning to full fitness is a weight off my mind."

He added, "The help and support of my family, like my brother Thiago, and of my friends, as well as so many members of the club and other people, played a huge part in getting me through this and helping me to forget about the injury."

During his extended recovery period after damaging the cruciate ligament in his right knee, Rafinha was reassured regarding his long-term future with the Catalan giants when he accepted a contract extension to keep him at the Camp Nou until 2020.

The Brazilian international described the offer as a comfort during a stressful time in his career.

"A new contract with a club like Barca brings peace of mind," he said. "And I hope to return the gesture with my football."

Rafinha, who suffered the injury during a draw with Roma in September, has a chance to appear in his first match when Barcelona hosts Real Madrid on April 2.

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