Rafael Pires

Rafael Pires Monteiro (born 23 June 1989 in Coronel Fabriciano), known simply as Rafael, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Atlético Mineiro.

Rafael Pires
Personal information
Full name Rafael Pires Monteiro
Date of birth (1989-06-22) 22 June 1989
Place of birth Coronel Fabriciano, Brazil
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Atlético Mineiro
Number 32
Youth career
2002–2008 Cruzeiro
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2020 Cruzeiro 76 (0)
2020– Atlético Mineiro 4 (0)
National team
2009 Brazil U20 14 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:06, 2 August 2020 (UTC)

Club career

In 2011 Rafael served as the goalkeeper for one of the most famous Clássico Mineiro derbies, in which Cruzeiro beat rivals Atlético Mineiro by 6x1 in the last round of that year's Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.

During Cruzeiro's 2016 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A campaign, Rafael served as the team's main goalkeeper, after the team's captain and first goalie, Fábio was sidelined for 9 months with an injury. Rafael quickly showed he was more than worthy of that position, being recognized by fans for being as good as Fábio. During the first months of 2017, Rafael and Fábio battled for the first goalie spot, with Rafael playing for most of the 2017 Campeonato Mineiro.

On 3 March 2020, Rafael joined Atlético Mineiro on a three-year deal.[1]

Honours
Cruzeiro
Brazil U20

References
  1. "Galo contrata o goleiro Rafael" (in Portuguese). Clube Atlético Mineiro. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
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