With years as a backup to Fábio, at Cruzeiro, and Everson, at Atlético-MG, Rafael waited a long time to have the chance to shine. The opportunity came at São Paulo, in 2023. A multi-champion with the rival Minas Gerais clubs, the goalkeeper won the Brazilian Cup with the São Paulo club, a historic title for the club and the most important of his career. Dorival Junior was his coach at the MorumBIS club and now with the Brazilian National Team.
Rafael was one of the three goalkeepers for the friendly matches against England and Spain, in March. He did not take the field, but the good work in training and in Brazilian football earned the trust of the coaching staff, who called him up for the Copa América dispute after the injury of Ederson, from Manchester City (ENG). The news of the call-up reached Rafael’s ears an hour and a half after the announcement.
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“My family and I were gathered for my older brother’s birthday. I think it had been an hour and a half since the people had reported my call-up and I didn’t know yet because I was without my cell phone, with everyone playing with my daughter. But it was a very very nice surprise and being able to experience this again is very special and a privilege,” he celebrated.
This season, Rafael has already won a title. In the Supercopa Rei against Palmeiras, he stood out in the penalty shootout to secure the title for São Paulo. The Copa América is another opportunity for him and Brazil to conquer, and the goalkeeper believes the Seleção is one of the favorites to lift the trophy.
“There are several national teams that we will face, but I have a lot of confidence in the Brazilian National Team, which, in all competitions, enters to win, to be champions. We will do our best and we know how important it is to be champion. (We will) carry this favoritism that competes with us and do everything to bring joy to our fans,” he said.
For clubs, Rafael has accumulated 18 titles. At Cruzeiro, there are six Minas Gerais State Championships (2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2018 and 2019), two Brazilian Championships (2013 and 2014) and two Brazilian Cups (2017 and 2018). With Galo, he lifted the trophies of the Brazilian Championship (2021), the Brazilian Cup (2021), the Brazilian Super Cup (2022), in addition to three Minas Gerais State Championships (2020, 2021 and 2022).
The extensive list includes the glories at São Paulo and the South American Under-20 Championship title with the Brazilian National Team, in 2009. With such winning experience, the 34-year-old goalkeeper believes in the importance of all the group members, from the delegation staff to the players.
“I am sure that in all the places where I have passed and conquered, everyone was important, from the security guard to the main player who will score the title-winning goal. So I feel very important here, I will do everything to keep making a strong group and bring joy to our fans who so deserve it,” he stated.
In the Brazilian National Team, he has the company of goalkeepers Bento and Alisson and listens to the advice of coaches Taffarel and Marquinhos.
“These are professionals from whom I am trying to absorb the most to learn, grow, evolve. For me, it is a unique opportunity to work with great professionals like Alisson and Bento. It just makes the training quality go up even more,” he celebrated.
