Rafinha (footballer, born 1985)

Márcio Rafael Ferreira de Souza (born 7 September 1985), commonly known as Rafinha ([ʁɐˈfiɲa]; "Little Rafa"), is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a right-back for São Paulo. He is known as a skilled defender with good passing skills, quick pace, agility and a strong shot.[3] He has earned four caps with the Brazil national team. Since 2015, he has the German citizenship.[4]

For other people named Rafinha, see Rafinha (disambiguation).
In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Ferreira and the second or paternal family name is De Souza.

Rafinha
Rafinha with São Paulo in 2022
Personal information
Full name Márcio Rafael Ferreira de Souza[1]
Date of birth (1985-09-07) 7 September 1985[1]
Place of birth Londrina, Brazil
Height 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Position(s) Right-back
Team information
Current team
 São Paulo
Number 13
Youth career
1992–1997 Gremio Londrina
1997–2000 PSTC
2000–2004 Londrina
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2005 Coritiba 48 (5)
2005–2010 Schalke 04 153 (7)
2010–2011 Genoa 34 (2)
2011–2019 Bayern Munich 179 (5)
2019–2020 Flamengo 32 (0)
2020–2021 Olympiacos 14 (0)
2021 Grêmio 33 (0)
2022– São Paulo 61 (0)
International career‡
2002–2005 Brazil U20 8 (2)
2008 Brazil U23 8 (0)
2008–2017 Brazil 4 (0)
Medal record
Representing  Brazil
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Third place2005 Netherlands
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place2008 Beijing
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 03:28, 28 September 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13 June 2017

Club career

Brazil and Schalke
Rafinha with Schalke 04 in 2005

Rafinha began his football career at the age of seven, playing for Gremio Londrinense, a futsal team from his home town of Londrina, Paraná. By age 12, he had begun training with PSTC, a local football club, before signing for Londrina Esporte Clube in 2000 at the age of 15. At the end of his second year with Londrina, Rafinha was signed by Coritiba. This meant moving hundreds of kilometers from his home town, but it also allowed Rafinha to display his talents on the national stage. For Coritiba, Rafinha made 23 appearances in the 2004 season and scored three goals in 13 appearances in the 2005 season.[5]

At Coritiba, Rafinha eventually found his way into the Brazil under-20 national team and played in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands. During the tournament, he scored two goals and played an integral part in Brazil's progress to the bronze medal. Rafinha's performance at the tournament alerted numerous European teams to his ability, with German club Schalke 04 ultimately signing the right-back from Coritiba for an estimated €5 million on a four-year contract.[6] At Schalke, he made 42 appearances in 2005–06 season,[7] two goals in 35 appearances in the 2006–07 season,[8] five goals in 46 appearances in the 2007–08 season,[5] two goals in 40 appearances in the 2008–09 season,[9] and two goals in 35 appearances in the 2009–10 season.[10]

Genoa

On 4 August 2010, it was confirmed that Rafinha moved from Schalke to Italian side Genoa.[11][12] The transfer had cost Genoa €8 million.[13] He scored two goals in 34 appearances in his only Serie A season. After Genoa had failed to pay the transfer fee in time, however, Rafinha's former club Schalke sued Genoa through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).[14]

Bayern Munich
Rafinha during a training session with Bayern Munich in 2016

On 1 June 2011, Bayern Munich confirmed Rafinha's transfer from Genoa on the same day that they signed his former Schalke teammate Manuel Neuer. Rafinha signed a three-year contract, and reports say Bayern paid €5.75 million for him.[13][15] He scored his first goal for Bayern against Villarreal, as a substitute in a 2–0 UEFA Champions League win on 14 September 2011.[16] He finished the 2011–12 season with a goal in 35 appearances.[17] Entering as an 83rd-minute substitute on 20 October 2012 during an away match against Fortuna Düsseldorf, he scored his first Bundesliga goal for Bayern in a 5–0 win.[18] He played a total of 13 Bundesliga games throughout the season, adding another goal on 13 April in a 4–0 win over 1. FC Nürnberg.[19] He finished the 2012–13 season with two goals in 17 appearances.[20]

During the 2013–14 season, after fellow right back Philipp Lahm was moved to defensive midfield, Rafinha found more opportunities to play regularly. He made 46 appearances across all competitions,[5] including the entire DFB-Pokal final in which Bayern secured a second consecutive double after defeating Borussia Dortmund.[21]

He finished the 2014–15 season with 41 appearances.[22]

He started the 2015–16 season by coming in as a substitute for Robert Lewandowski in the 72nd minute of the German Super Cup.[23] He finished the 2015–16 season with 34 appearances.[23][24]

He started the 2016–17 season by coming in as a substitute for Thomas Müller in the 87th minute of the German Super Cup.[25] He finished the 2016–17 season with a goal in 28 appearances.[25][26]

He started the 2017–18 season by starting in the German Super Cup.[27] He finished the 2017–18 season with a goal in 39 appearances.[27][28]

Rafinha was an unused substitute in the German Super Cup.[29] He made his first appearance of the 2018–19 season in the German Cup.[30] He started the match and played the full 90 minutes.[30] He finished the 2018–19 season with a goal in 26 appearances.[31]

Flamengo

On 9 June 2019, Flamengo confirmed Rafinha's transfer from Bayern Munich. Rafinha signed a two-year contract.[32]

Olympiacos

On 23 August 2020, Rafinha joined Olympiacos after signing a one-plus-one-year contract.[33] He was officially released on 2 February 2021, as he was no longer in the plans of manager Pedro Martins,[34] especially after signing right full-back Kenny Lala as a free transfer a few days earlier. Although, before the mutual termination of his contract, he won the Greek Cup and alongside, Olympiacos set an agreement that, after winning that season's Super League Greece, Rafinha will get a commemorative medal for that title.[35]

Grêmio

On 29 March 2021, Rafinha joined Grêmio on a deal running until December.[36]

International career

U-23 (2008 Olympics)
Rafinha (right) representing Brazil at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

In the summer of 2008, Rafinha was involved in a dispute with his club about his participation for Brazil at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Schalke 04 (to send Rafinha) along with Werder Bremen (Diego) and Barcelona (Lionel Messi) did not want to release their players for the Olympic games so that they could help them in their domestic and European competitions. The case was taken to FIFA, which ruled that all clubs should release their players aged under 23 for the Games.

Schalke, Werder Bremen and Barcelona, however, took their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) who eventually ruled in the clubs' favour, stating, "The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has upheld the appeals filed by FC Schalke 04, SV Werder Bremen and FC Barcelona against the decision issued on 30 July 2008 by the Single Judge of the FIFA's Players' Status Committee that consequently has been set aside in its entirety."[37]

Schalke continued its bar on Rafinha from attending the Olympics. Despite his club's wishes, however, he ultimately did compete for the Brazil squad, which won bronze.

Senior team

Rafinha made his senior debut for Brazil on 26 March 2008 in a friendly match against Sweden.[38] He then went through a six-year absence from the national team, making his second appearance in a friendly against South Africa on 5 March 2014. In May 2014, he was named by Brazil head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari as a standby player for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[39]

On 17 September 2015, Rafinha was called up by head coach Dunga for two qualifying fixtures for the 2018 World Cup, but five days later turned it down, while also denying claims of rejecting the call-up to represent his adopted homeland Germany.[40]

In June 2017, Rafinha was called up for international friendlies against Argentina and Australia.[41]

Career statistics

Club
As of 12 July 2023[38]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League State league[lower-alpha 1] National cup[lower-alpha 2] Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Coritiba 2004 Série A 240000000—240
2005 Série A 13311230——275
Total 3731123000—515
Schalke 04 2005–06 Bundesliga 290—1012[lower-alpha 3]0—420
2006–07 Bundesliga 312—202[lower-alpha 4]0—352
2007–08 Bundesliga 322—3110[lower-alpha 5]11[lower-alpha 6]0464
2008–09 Bundesliga 302—307[lower-alpha 4]0—402
2009–10 Bundesliga 311—41——352
Total 1537—1323111019810
Genoa 2010–11 Serie A 342—30——372
Bayern Munich 2011–12 Bundesliga 240—407[lower-alpha 5]1—351
2012–13 Bundesliga 132—202[lower-alpha 5]000172
2013–14 Bundesliga 280—609[lower-alpha 5]03[lower-alpha 7]0460
2014–15 Bundesliga 260—4011[lower-alpha 5]000410
2015–16 Bundesliga 250—404[lower-alpha 5]01[lower-alpha 8]0340
2016–17 Bundesliga 201—205[lower-alpha 5]01[lower-alpha 8]0281
2017–18 Bundesliga 271—308[lower-alpha 5]01[lower-alpha 8]0391
2018–19 Bundesliga 161—406[lower-alpha 5]000261
Total 1795—290521602666
Flamengo 2019 Série A 200—107[lower-alpha 9]02[lower-alpha 10]0300
2020 Série A 20100001[lower-alpha 9]03[lower-alpha 11]0160
Total 220100108050460
Olympiacos 2020–21 Super League Greece 140—008[lower-alpha 5]0—220
Grêmio 2021 Série A 30070204[lower-alpha 12]0—430
São Paulo 2022 Série A 320110403[lower-alpha 12]0—500
2023 Série A 11030513[lower-alpha 12]0—221
Total 4301409160—721
Career total 51217422603109212073524
  1. Includes Campeonato Paranaense, Campeonato Carioca, Campeonato Gaúcho, Campeonato Paulista
  2. Includes Copa do Brasil, DFB-Pokal, Coppa Italia
  3. Five appearances in UEFA Champions League, seven appearances in UEFA Cup
  4. Appearances in UEFA Cup
  5. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  6. Appearance in DFL-Ligapokal
  7. One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
  8. Appearance in DFL-Supercup
  9. Appearances in Copa Libertadores
  10. Appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
  11. Two appearances in Recopa Sudamericana, one appearance in Supercopa do Brasil
  12. Appearances in Copa Sudamericana

International
As of 13 June 2017.[42]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Brazil 200810
201410
201720
Total40

Honours

Club

Bayern Munich[38]

Flamengo

Olympiacos

Grêmio

São Paulo

Individual

References
  1. "FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2013: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 7 December 2013. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  2. "FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019: List of Players: CR Flamengo" (PDF). FIFA. 5 December 2019. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 December 2019.
  3. "Player Profile". whoscored.com. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  4. "Trotz Pass: Rafinha darf nicht für Deutschland spielen" (in German). 10 December 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  5. "Rafinha » Club matches". World Football. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  6. "Fünfter Neuzugang auf Schalke: Fünf Mio Ablöse für Rafinha" [Fifth New Signing at Schalke: Five Million Transfer Fee for Rafinha] (in German). n-tv.de. 22 August 2005. Archived from the original on 31 August 2016.
  7. "Rafinha". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  8. "Rafinha". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  9. "Rafinha". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  10. "Rafinha". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  11. "Genoa refit continues with Rafinha". UEFA.com. 4 August 2010. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  12. "Rafinha makes Genoa switch". Schalke 04. 4 August 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  13. Genoa C.F.C. SpA bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 31 December 2011 (in Italian)
  14. "Rafinha bringt Schalke noch 4,4 Millionen Euro" (in German). kicker.de. 26 March 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  15. "Genoa selling Rafinha to Bayern Munich today". tribalfootball.com. 30 May 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  16. "Villarreal bow to Bayern excellence". UEFA. 14 September 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  17. "Rafinha". kicker,de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  18. "Müllers Doppelschlag beim bayerischen Fünferpack [Müller's brace in Bayern's five]". kicker. 29 October 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  19. "FC Bayern demontiert schwachen Club [FC Bayern demolish the Swabian club]". kicker (in German). Retrieved 15 April 2013.
  20. "Rafinha". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  21. McCauley, Kim (17 May 2014). "Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund, 2014 DFB-Pokal: Final score 2-0, Pep vindicated?". sbnation. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
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  23. "Joker Bendtner ist zweimal zur Stelle". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  24. "Rafinha". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  25. "Im zweiten Anlauf: Vidal beschert Bayern den ersten Titel". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  26. "Rafinha". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  27. "Bayerns erster Titel dank Flippertor und Ulreich". kicker.de (in German). Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  28. "Rafinha". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  29. "FCB gewinnt Supercup - Lewandowski macht den Unterschied". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  30. "Lewandowski rettet den FC Bayern vor der Verlängerung". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  31. "Rafinha". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  32. "Official: Bayern Munich's Rafinha has signed with Flamengo". bavarianfootballworks.com. 10 June 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  33. "Former Bayern defender Rafinha returns to Europe with Olympiacos". Yahoo! Sports. 23 August 2020.
  34. Team, Onsports (2 February 2021). "Ολυμπιακός: Oριστικό για Ραφίνια - Τους αποχαιρέτησε και φεύγει!". Onsports.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  35. Team, to10 (2 February 2021). "Ο Ραφίνια θα επιστρέψει τον Μάιο στην Ελλάδα για το μετάλλιο του πρωταθλητή". to10.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  36. "Rafinha recebe a camisa 13 e confia em brilho no Grêmio: "Vou ter muito sucesso"". Globo Esporte (in Brazilian Portuguese). 29 March 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  37. "Trio win Olympics appeal". skysports.com. 6 August 2008. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
  38. "Rafinha". Soccerway. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  39. "Lucas Moura named on Brazil's seven-man World Cup standby list". Goal.com. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  40. "Rafinha: I did not quit Brazil for Germany". Goal.com. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  41. Colangelo, Anthony (6 June 2017). "Brazil's Rafinha says Argentina and Socceroos will be out to get 'Selecao' at MCG". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  42. Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Rafinha". National Football Teams.
  43. Unwin, Will (23 November 2019). "Flamengo 2–1 River Plate: Copa Libertadores final – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
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  45. "Firmino writes Liverpool into Club World Cup history". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 21 December 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
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