Raí

Raí Souza Vieira de Oliveira (born 15 May 1965), known as Raí (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁaˈi]), is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Raí played with Brazil for more than a decade, helping the country win the 1994 World Cup.

For other uses, see Rai (disambiguation).

Raí
Raí in 2009
Personal information
Full name Raí Souza Vieira de Oliveira
Date of birth (1965-05-15) 15 May 1965
Place of birth Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Youth career
1980–1985 Botafogo-SP
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1984–1987 Botafogo-SP
1986 → Ponte Preta (loan) 10 (1)
1987–1993 São Paulo 110 (25)
1993–1998 Paris Saint-Germain 147 (51)
1998–2000 São Paulo 19 (1)
Total 284 (77)
International career
1987–1998 Brazil 49 (17)
Medal record
Men's Football
Representing  Brazil
FIFA World Cup
Winner1994 USA
Copa América
Runner-up1991 Chile
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He spent the better part of his 15-year career with São Paulo[1] and Paris Saint-Germain, winning 10 major titles with the two teams combined, and nearing the 100-goal mark. He is considered by fans, journalists and players as the greatest legend of Paris Saint-Germain despite his relatively short period at the club.[2][3] He is the younger brother of more famous Brazilian footballer Sócrates.

Club career

Early years

Born in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Raí started his career with local Botafogo Futebol Clube (SP), signing in 1986 with Associação Atlética Ponte Preta, with which he made his Série A debuts.

São Paulo

Raí joined São Paulo FC for the 1987 season, only making his league debut on 18 October due to injury. He only scored once in his first year but, following the arrival of Telê Santana as coach, blossomed into a prolific scorer, scoring 28 overall in the 1991 campaign as the team won both the regional Campeonato Paulista and the National Championship.

In 1992, Raí was part of the São Paulo team that won the club's first ever Copa Libertadores, scoring the only goal of the final second-leg against Newell's Old Boys that took the match to a penalty shootout. Later that year, he was instrumental in the defeat of FC Barcelona in the 1992 Intercontinental Cup, netting both goals in a 2–1 win in Tokyo. This form saw Raí named South American Footballer of the Year for 1992.

In the 1993 season, São Paulo defended their Copa Libertadores title, with Raí again scoring in the final as CD Universidad Católica were beaten 5–1 at the Estádio do Morumbi.[4]

Paris Saint-Germain
Raí with Paris Saint-Germain in 1997

In June 1993, Raí was acquired by Paris Saint-Germain F.C. of France for US$4.6 million,[5] remaining with São Paulo until the end of the year. He still managed to contribute with six goals in 28 Ligue 1 games as his new club won the national championship for the second time in its history; he helped PSG to the following season's French Cup, and was on target in the League Cup final against SC Bastia (2–0).[6][7]

Raí once again proved essential as the capital outfit won the 1996 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, scoring twice in a 3–1 home win against Parma, after a 1–0 away loss. He also appeared in the final against SK Rapid Wien, and went on to score three seasons in double digits during his five-season spell. In 1997–98 he scored in both the Coupe de la Ligue final and the Coupe de France final against Bordeaux and Lens respectively as PSG won both games.[8][9]

Return to São Paulo

At the age of 33, Raí returned to São Paulo. He retired in 2000.

International career

Raí gained the first of his 49 caps for Brazil in 1987, whilst at São Paulo, being selected to that year's Copa América in Argentina, playing twice – including in the 0–4 group stage loss against Chile – in an eventual group stage exit.[10] His debut occurred on 19 May at the Rous Cup, playing 15 minutes in a 1–1 draw against England.

Raí was picked by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira for his 1994 FIFA World Cup squad. He captained the team in the group stage and scored a penalty in the first match, a 2–0 win against Russia, after Romário was brought down in the box. Raí was subsequently dropped from the first team in the knockout stages, with Dunga taking over the captaincy. He was used as a substitute against the Netherlands (quarterfinals, ten minutes) and Sweden (semifinal, 45 minutes)[11] as the national team went on to win the tournament.

Personal life

Raí's older brother, Sócrates, was also a footballer and an attacking midfielder. He too represented Botafogo de São Paulo in his career, and was also a longtime Brazilian international.[12][13]

After retiring, Raí became a social activist and justice campaigner, being involved in two separate philanthropic organisations.[13]

Career statistics

Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Coupe de France Coupe de la Ligue Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Paris Saint-Germain 1993–94 Division 1 28642—4[lower-alpha 1]0—368
1994–95 Division 1 281250427[lower-alpha 2]2—4416
1995–96 Division 1 271431106[lower-alpha 1]21[lower-alpha 3]03817
1996–97 Division 1 359311010[lower-alpha 1]32[lower-alpha 4]25115
1997–98 Division 1 291063518[lower-alpha 2]4—4818
Total 1475121711335113221774
  1. Appearances in UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
  2. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. Appearance in Trophée des Champions
  4. Appearances in UEFA Super Cup

International
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Brazil 1987113
198800
198900
199000
199153
199276
1993162
199493
199500
199600
199700
199810
Total4917

Honours
Raí on a 1994 stamp of Nicaragua

São Paulo

Paris Saint-Germain

Brazil

Individual

References
  1. Após 100º de Ceni, Raí eleva goleiro ao posto de ídolo máximo do Tricolor (After Ceni's 100th goal, Raí raises goalkeeper to biggest idol position at the Tricolor); Globo Esporte, 28 March 2011 (in Portuguese)
  2. "50 ans du PSG : Raí élu meilleur joueur de l'histoire du club". 29 September 2020.
  3. "Raï meilleur joueur du PSG, devant Susic et Ronaldinho : De la difficulté de classer les légendes". 29 September 2020.
  4. "Where are they now? Rai". The Guardian. 22 June 2008.
  5. A match made in heaven; FIFA.com, 19 May 2010
  6. "PSG – Bastia 2–0, 03/05/95, Coupe de la Ligue 94–95". archivesparisfootball.wordpress.com. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  7. "PSG – Strasbourg 1–0, 13/05/95, Coupe de France 94–95". archivesparisfootball.wordpress.com. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  8. "PSG – Bordeaux 2–2 (4–2 tab), 04/04/98, Coupe de la Ligue 97–98". archivesparisfootball.wordpress.com. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  9. "PSG – Lens 2–1, 02/05/98, Coupe de France 97–98". archivesparisfootball.wordpress.com. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  10. Copa América 1987; at RSSSF
  11. Raí – FIFA competition record (archived)
  12. Europe's surprising challenge to the latin game; The New York Times, 9 July 1994
  13. Where are they now? Rai; The Guardian, 22 June 2008
  14. "South American Team of the Year". 16 January 2009. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  15. "IFFHS Awards 1992". Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  16. "Raï, le chevalier brésilien du PSG". 14 December 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2020. (in French)
  17. "Doctorats Honoris Causa". 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020. (in French)
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