Barcelona midfielder Rafinha has claimed that Saturday was 'the happiest day of his life' after he made his full debut for the Brazil national team against Costa Rica.

The 22-year-old came on the final 10 minutes of the South American country's 1-0 victory in New Jersey at the weekend, where Hulk scored the only goal of the match.

Rafinha was born in Brazil, but also had the chance to represent Spain after qualifying through his father, former Brazil international Mazinho, who played for seven years in Spain.

The midfielder recently claimed that it was not a difficult decision to choose Brazil over La Roja and has now spoken on his first appearance in yellow.

"It's the happiest day of my life. I had imagined it many times, but the reality's even better," Rafinha told the Brazilian Football Confederation's official website.

"When I was a child, playing in the street with my brother Thiago, I dreamed of being one of the great figures who won the World Cup in 2002. It's thanks to them that I've always wanted to wear this shirt."

Brazil are also in action on Wednesday against United States.