Rafinha: Thiago's time under Guardiola at Barcelona defined his future.

Rafinha says that his brother's time under Guardiola at Barca defined his future, It was Pep who gave the midfielder his professional debut.

Thiago was a different kind of a player from an early age, the Brazilian claims.

“In my case, I learned a lot. La Masia gave me the basics to understand what happens on the field and become a better footballer. In Thiago's case, his learning was more tactical.

Basically he had it all and everyone saw that he was different," Rafinha has told Mundo Deportivo about his brother.

"The key moment was when he was at Barca B and Pep Guardiola gave him the confidence to take the step forward. With a coach of his importance, one of the best in the world, who gives you the opportunity and guides you, it is inevitably beneficial.

"And more than accompanying him, he gave him the freedom to become the footballer he is today," Rafinha finished.

Aged 18, Thiago made his debut for the first team in the 2008/09 season, during Guardiola's first year as coach at Camp Nou. He was promoted to the first team in 2011.

When Pep joined Bayern Munich in 2013, he immediately brought the La Masia midfielder to Germany. With Guardiola as his coach, Thiago has played a total of 144 matches at Barca and Bayern, scoring 17 goals and providing 25 assists.

The 29-year-old will face his old club on August 14 as the Catalans and the Bavarians meet in the Champions League quarter-finals.