Rafinha (footballer, born 1985)

Márcio Rafael Ferreira de Souza (born 7 September 1985), commonly known as Rafinha [ʁɐˈfiɲa], is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a right back. He last played for Greek club Olympiacos, and has earned four caps with the Brazil national team.

This article is about the footballer. For the Paris Saint-Germain player, see Rafinha (footballer, born February 1993). For other people known as Rafinha, see Rafinha.
This name uses Portuguese naming customs: the first or maternal family name is Ferreira and the second or paternal family name is De Souza.

Rafinha
Rafinha with Bayern Munich in 2016
Personal information
Full name Márcio Rafael Ferreira de Souza[1]
Date of birth (1985-09-07) 7 September 1985[1]
Place of birth Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Position(s) Right back
Youth career
1992–1997 Gremio Londrina
1997–2001 PSTC
2001–2002 Londrina
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2005 Coritiba 37 (3)
2005–2010 Schalke 04 153 (7)
2010–2011 Genoa 34 (2)
2011–2019 Bayern Munich 179 (5)
2019–2020 Flamengo 22 (0)
2020–2021 Olympiacos 14 (0)
National team‡
2002–2005 Brazil U20 8 (2)
2008 Brazil U23 8 (0)
2008–2017 Brazil 4 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 27 January 2021
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 13 June 2017

His nickname translated from Portuguese literally means "Little Rafa". He is known as a skilled defender with good passing skills, quick pace, agility and a strong shot.[3]

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 2001 at the age of 16. At the end of his first 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.[4]

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.[5] At Schalke, he made 42 appearances in 2005–06 season,[6] two goals in 35 appearances in the 2006–07 season,[7] five goals in 46 appearances in the 2007–08 season,[4] two goals in 40 appearances in the 2008–09 season,[8] and two goals in 35 appearances in the 2009–10 season.[9]

Genoa

On 4 August 2010, it was confirmed that Rafinha moved from Schalke to Italian side Genoa.[10][11] The transfer had cost Genoa €8 million.[12] 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).[13]

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.[12][14] He scored his first goal for Bayern against Villarreal, as a substitute in a 2–0 UEFA Champions League win on 14 September 2011.[15] He finished the 2011–12 season with a goal in 35 appearances.[16] 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.[17] 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.[18] He finished the 2012–13 season with two goals in 17 appearances.[19]

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,[4] including the entire DFB-Pokal Final in which Bayern secured a second consecutive double after defeating Borussia Dortmund.[20]

He finished the 2014–15 season with 41 appearances.[21]

He started the 2015–16 season by coming in as a substitute for Robert Lewandowski in the 72nd minute of the German Super Cup.[22] He finished the 2015–16 season with 34 appearances.[22][23]

He started the 2016–17 season by coming in as a substitute for Thomas Müller in the 87th minute of the German Super Cup.[24] He finished the 2016–17 season with a goal in 28 appearances.[24][25]

He started the 2017–18 season by starting in the German Super Cup.[26] He finished the 2017–18 season with a goal in 39 appearances.[26][27]

Rafinha was an unused substitute in the German Super Cup.[28] He made his first appearance of the 2018–19 season in the German Cup.[29] He started the match and played the full 90 minutes.[29] He finished the 2018–19 season with a goal in 26 appearances.[30]

Flamengo

On 9 June 2019, Flamengo confirmed Rafinha's transfer from Bayern Munich. Rafinha signed a two-year contract.[31]

Olympiacos

On 23 August 2020, Rafinha joined Olympiacos after signing a one-plus-one-year contract.[32] He was officially released on 2 February 2021, as he was no longer in the plans of manager Pedro Martins,[33] 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 the Greek Championship 2021, Rafinha will get a commemorative medal for that title.[34]

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."[35]

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.[36] He then went through a six-year absence from the national team, having made his second and last 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.[37]

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.[38]

In June 2017, Rafinha was called up for international friendlies against Argentina and Australia.[39]

Career statistics

Club
As of matches played on 27 January 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[lower-alpha 1] Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Coritiba 2004 Série A 24000——240
2005 Série A 13300——133
Total 373000000373
Schalke 04 2005–06 Bundesliga 2901012[lower-alpha 2]0—420
2006–07 Bundesliga 312202[lower-alpha 3]0—352
2007–08 Bundesliga 3223110[lower-alpha 4]11[lower-alpha 5]0464
2008–09 Bundesliga 302307[lower-alpha 3]0—402
2009–10 Bundesliga 31141——352
Total 15371323111019810
Genoa 2010–11 Serie A 34230——372
Bayern Munich 2011–12 Bundesliga 240407[lower-alpha 4]1—351
2012–13 Bundesliga 132202[lower-alpha 4]000172
2013–14 Bundesliga 280609[lower-alpha 4]03[lower-alpha 6]0460
2014–15 Bundesliga 2604011[lower-alpha 4]000410
2015–16 Bundesliga 250404[lower-alpha 4]01[lower-alpha 7]0340
2016–17 Bundesliga 201205[lower-alpha 4]01[lower-alpha 7]0281
2017–18 Bundesliga 271308[lower-alpha 4]01[lower-alpha 7]0391
2018–19 Bundesliga 161406[lower-alpha 4]000261
Total 1795290521602666
Flamengo 2019 Série A 200107[lower-alpha 8]02[lower-alpha 9]0300
2020 Série A 20001[lower-alpha 8]013[lower-alpha 10]0160
Total 2201080150460
Olympiacos 2020–21 Super League Greece 1400080—220
Career total 4391746299222060621
  1. Appearances in the DFB-Pokal, Coppa Italia and Copa do Brasil.
  2. Appearances in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup.
  3. Appearances in the UEFA Cup.
  4. Appearances in the UEFA Champions League.
  5. Appearances in the DFL-Ligapokal.
  6. Appearances in the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
  7. Appearances in the DFL-Supercup.
  8. Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores.
  9. Appearance(s) in FIFA Club World Cup.
  10. Two appearances in Recopa Sudamericana, one appearance in Supercopa do Brasil, ten appearances in Campeonato Carioca.

International
As of 13 June 2017.[40]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Brazil 200810
201410
201720
Total40

Honours

Club

Bayern Munich[36]

Flamengo

Olympiacos

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. "Player Profile". FC Bayern Munich AG. Archived from the original on 1 June 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  3. "Player Profile". whoscored.com. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  4. "Rafinha » Club matches". World Football. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  5. "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.
  6. "Rafinha". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  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. "Genoa refit continues with Rafinha". UEFA.com. 4 August 2010. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  11. "Rafinha makes Genoa switch". Schalke 04. 4 August 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  12. Genoa C.F.C. SpA bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 31 December 2011 (in Italian)
  13. "Rafinha bringt Schalke noch 4,4 Millionen Euro" (in German). kicker.de. 26 March 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  14. "Genoa selling Rafinha to Bayern Munich today". tribalfootball.com. 30 May 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  15. "Villarreal bow to Bayern excellence". UEFA. 14 September 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  16. "Rafinha". kicker,de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  17. "Müllers Doppelschlag beim bayerischen Fünferpack [Müller's brace in Bayern's five]". kicker. 29 October 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  18. "FC Bayern demontiert schwachen Club [FC Bayern demolish the Swabian club]". kicker (in German). Retrieved 15 April 2013.
  19. "Rafinha". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  20. McCauley, Kim (17 May 2014). "Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund, 2014 DFB-Pokal: Final score 2-0, Pep vindicated?". sbnation. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  21. "Rafinha". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  22. "Joker Bendtner ist zweimal zur Stelle". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  23. "Rafinha". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  24. "Im zweiten Anlauf: Vidal beschert Bayern den ersten Titel". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  25. "Rafinha". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  26. "Bayerns erster Titel dank Flippertor und Ulreich". kicker.de (in German). Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  27. "Rafinha". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  28. "FCB gewinnt Supercup - Lewandowski macht den Unterschied". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  29. "Lewandowski rettet den FC Bayern vor der Verlängerung". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  30. "Rafinha". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  31. "Official: Bayern Munich's Rafinha has signed with Flamengo". bavarianfootballworks.com. 10 June 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  32. "Former Bayern defender Rafinha returns to Europe with Olympiacos". Yahoo! Sports. 23 August 2020.
  33. Team, Onsports (2 February 2021). "Ολυμπιακός: Oριστικό για Ραφίνια - Τους αποχαιρέτησε και φεύγει!". Onsports.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  34. 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.
  35. "Trio win Olympics appeal". skysports.com. 6 August 2008. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
  36. "Rafinha". Soccerway. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  37. "Lucas Moura named on Brazil's seven-man World Cup standby list". Goal.com. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  38. "Rafinha: I did not quit Brazil for Germany". Goal.com. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  39. 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.
  40. Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Rafinha". National Football Teams.
  41. Unwin, Will (23 November 2019). "Flamengo 2–1 River Plate: Copa Libertadores final – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  42. Vickery, Tim (27 February 2020). "Flamengo's Recopa win over Independiente a stepping stone to more glory". ESPN. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  43. "Firmino writes Liverpool into Club World Cup history". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 21 December 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  44. "Prêmio Craque do Brasileirão 2019: veja a seleção e quem foi premiado" (in Portuguese). Goal.com. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  45. "Bola de Prata: veja como ficou a seleção do Campeonato Brasileiro 2019" (in Portuguese). ESPN Brasil. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  46. "Gabigol, do Flamengo, é eleito craque do Campeonato Carioca; veja seleção" (in Portuguese). Globoesporte.com. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
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