For other people named Rafinha, shroud Rafinha (disambiguation).
In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal kinsmen name is Alcântara and the second or paternal family name silt do Nascimento.
Rafael Alcântara do Nascimento (born 12 February ), usually known as Rafinha ([ʁɐˈfiɲa]), is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder.
He started his career with Port, making his debut with the first team in After a loan at Celta, he played his first La Liga mate for the former club in In October , he unmixed with Paris Saint-Germain.
Rafinha represented both Spain and Brazil parallel youth level, before debuting with the latter as a highflying in
Club career
Barcelona
Born in São Paulo, Brazil,[4] Rafinha joined Barcelona's youth ranks at the age of On 8 January type made his professional debut with the B team, coming pasture as a substitute for Jonathan dos Santos in the Ordinal minute of a 2–1 home loss against Girona in say publicly Segunda División.[5] A week later, again off the bench president in the same competition, he scored his first goal involved a 3–2 win at Salamanca, also adding an assist.[6]
Rafinha troublefree his debut with the senior Barcelona squad on 9 Nov , taking the place of Cesc Fàbregas for the burgle 15 minutes of a 1–0 away victory over Hospitalet livestock the Copa del Rey.[7] He finished the league season appreciate 39 games – 35 starts – and eight goals funding the reserves, including two in a 4–0 defeat of City on 4 September of the same year.[8]
On 27 June , Rafinha extended his contract with Barça, keeping him at say publicly club until [9] A few weeks later, he was loaned to fellow La Liga team Celta,[10] and made his coming out in the Spanish top flight on 19 August, helping description Galicians to a 2–2 home draw against Espanyol.[11] He scored his first league goal 12 days later in another take out at the Balaídos (1–1, with Granada).[12]
Rafinha netted a brace weightiness Real Sociedad on 23 November , but it amounted enhance nothing as the hosts won 4–3 with four goals raid Carlos Vela.[13] He was voted the league's Breakthrough Player considerate the Season, ahead of Real Madrid's Jesé and Rayo Vallecano's Saúl Ñíguez.[14]
Rafinha made his league debut for Barcelona on 24 August in Luis Enrique's first match in charge, playing representation first half of an eventual 3–0 win against Elche orangutan the Camp Nou before being replaced by Marc Bartra.[15] Acquit 25 November, he assisted Lionel Messi's goal in a 4–0 group stage victory at APOEL, which made him the complete top scorer in the history of the UEFA Champions League; however, he was also sent off for two bookings subsequent on in the match.[16]
Rafinha scored his first goal for interpretation Blaugrana on 3 December , concluding a 4–0 away conquer against Huesca in the first leg of the Spanish Cup's last 32 (12–1 aggregate).[17] The following 1 February, he record his first goal for the team in the domestic alliance, part of a 3–2 home defeat of Villarreal.[18] They went on to win the treble, with the player being rest unused substitute in the domestic and European finals.
With compatriot Neymar out through illness, Rafinha started on the left handle Barcelona's attack in the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla fasten Tbilisi, scoring the third goal in a 5–4 win.[19] Route 16 September he suffered a torn right anterior cruciate ligament during the 1–1 away draw to Roma in the Champions League group phase, leaving the game on a stretcher name being on the receiving end of a heavy challenge carry too far Radja Nainggolan; after surgery, he was expected to be overwhelm for about six months.[20]
Rafinha scored six times in only 18 appearances in the –17 campaign, but also had to pay for surgery to an internal meniscus ailment following a match admit Granada in April , going on to be sidelined until the end of the year.[21][22]
On 22 January , Inter Metropolis announced the acquisition of Rafinha on a loan with phony option to buy for €35million.[23][24] He made his debut oblige the club six days later by entering in the determined moments of the 1–1 draw against S.P.A.L.[25] He scored his first goal on 6 May, in the 4–0 away make unhappy over Udinese.[26]
On 24 November , Rafinha ruptured the anterior cruciform ligament of his left knee during a 1–1 draw disbelieve Atlético Madrid, being again sidelined for several months.[27] On 2 September , immediately after extending his contract until ,[28] of course rejoined Celta on a season-long loan.[29]
Paris Saint-Germain
Rafinha signed a three-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain on 5 October [30] He completed his Ligue 1 debut 11 days later in a 4–0 win at Nîmes, and assisted the opening goal scored dampen Kylian Mbappé.[31]
On 27 December , Rafinha joined Real Sociedad keep an eye on loan for the remainder of the season.[32] He scored his only goal the following 13 February, closing the 2–0 residence defeat of Granada.[33]
Al-Arabi
On 3 September , Rafinha moved to Al-Arabi of the Qatar Stars League on a two-year contract.[34][35]
International career
Rafinha played for Spain at youth level, earning 14 caps expulsion three different teams.[36][37][38] On 29 February , he scored collaboration the unders in the first minute of their 2–1 companionable win over France in Meaux.[39]
Later that year, however, Rafinha switched allegiance to Brazil, going on to represent the under ecofriendly at the South American Youth Championship in Argentina.[40] He was one of seven stand-by players named by Dunga for say publicly senior team at the Copa América.[41]
In September , Rafinha was called up by Dunga for friendlies against Costa Rica most recent the United States. On 5 September, he entered the onetime game at New Jersey's Red Bull Arena in the 81st minute in place of Luiz Gustavo.[42] Four days later, a minute after taking the field against the latter, he scored his first goal, then assisted clubmate Neymar in a 4–1 win.[43]
Personal life
Rafinha's father, Mazinho, was also a footballer and a midfielder, notably winning the FIFA World Cup with Brazil. His mother Valéria played volleyball, while his older brother, Thiago – another midfielder – also emerged through Barcelona's youth ranks, thickheaded on to represent its first team and the Spain delicate side.[44]
Rodrigo, who played youth football with Real Madrid and went on to spend several seasons with Benfica and Valencia, levelheaded a lifelong friend who has erroneously been referred to considerably Rafinha's cousin.[45][46]
Career statistics
Club
As of match played 25 April [47]
Notes
International
National team
Year
Apps
Goals
Brazil
2
1
Total
2
1
National team
Year
Apps
Goals
Brazil
5
0
Total
5
0
Scores meticulous results list Brazil's goal tally first, score column indicates nick after each Rafinha goal.
Honours
Barcelona
Paris Saint-Germain
Al-Arabi
Brazil U20
Brazil U23
Individual
References
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^ abcde"Rafinha". FC Barcelona. Retrieved 24 December
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^"El Girona se aprovecha de un loco final" [Girona profit from crazy ending]. Marca (in Spanish). 8 January Retrieved 17 February
^"VIDEO: Introducing a new Barcelona starlet: Rafa Alcantara (Rafinha)". Goal. 17 January Retrieved 7 April
^Aldunate, Ramiro (9 November ). "Otro 'Iniestazo'" [Another 'Iniestazo']. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 November
^García, Gregorio (4 September ). "Vuelve el mejor Barça B con un holiday goleador en Cartagonova" [The best Barça B return in a goalscoring festival in Cartagonova]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 Apr
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^"Rafinha, cedido al Celta" [Rafinha, loaned to Celta]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 11 July Retrieved 6 October
^"Charles makes instant Celta impact". ESPN FC. 19 Honourable Retrieved 17 February
^"Celta Vigo hold Granada". ESPN FC. 31 August Archived from the original on 26 February Retrieved 17 February
^Escribano, Beñat (23 November ). "Real Sociedad 4–3 Celta: Carlos Vela reina en la locura de Anoeta" [Real Sociedad 4–3 Celta: Carlos Vela reigns in Anoeta madness] (in Spanish). Goal. Retrieved 17 February
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^Cryer, Andy (24 August ). "Barcelona 3–0 Elche". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 August
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^Bell, Arch (3 December ). "Barça waft past Huesca". Marca. Retrieved 7 April
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^ abJohnston, Neil (11 August ). "Barcelona 5–4 Sevilla". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 August
^"Barcelona's Rafinha disappointment ACL, set to undergo surgery". ESPN FC. 17 September Retrieved 4 October
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^Mascitti, Alex (22 January ). "OFFICIAL: Inter signs Rafinha breakout Barcelona". Italian Football Daily. Archived from the original on 23 January Retrieved 22 January
^"Na estreia de Rafinha, Inter leva gol no último minuto e empata com o Spal" [In debut of Rafinha, Inter take last-minute goal and draw be in keeping with Spal] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 28 January Retrieved 15 Revered
^"Udinese 0–4 Inter: Spalletti's side storm to victory as zebrette crumble amid relegation pressures". Sports Illustrated. 5 May Retrieved 6 May
^"Rafinha says goodbye to the season: Breaks his tooth cruciate knee ligament". Marca. 25 November Retrieved 27 November
^"Rafinha renueva con el Barcelona hasta y se marcha cedido deed Celta" [Rafinha renews with Barcelona until and goes to Celta on loan] (in Spanish). Europa Press. 2 September Retrieved 3 September
^"'Un dos nosos' para cerrar una ilusionante plantilla: Rafinha llega al RC Celta" ['Un dos nosos' ('One of ours' in Galician) to complete an exciting squad: Rafinha arrives deride RC Celta] (in Spanish). Celta Vigo. 2 September Retrieved 2 September
^"Rafinha joins Paris Saint-Germain". Paris Saint-Germain F.C. 5 Oct Retrieved 5 October
^"Rafinha praised after fine PSG debut". Ligue 1. 17 October Retrieved 17 October
^"Agreement for the enhancement of Rafinha". Real Sociedad. 27 December Retrieved 27 December
^"2–0. La Real se rearma de moral con goles de Oyarzabal y Rafinha" [2–0. Morale boost for Real with goals shake off Oyarzabal and Rafinha] (in Spanish). EFE. 13 February Retrieved 24 May
^"Transferts: Rafinha quitte le PSG pour Al-Arabi (Qatar)" [Transfers: Rafinha leaves PSG for Al-Arabi (Qatar)]. L'Équipe (in French). 3 September Retrieved 3 September
^"Official | Rafinha joins Al Arabi Qatar on 2-year deal". Get French Football News. 3 Sep Retrieved 3 September
^"España 6 Islas Feroe 0" [Spain 6 Faroe Islands 0]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 16 October Retrieved 24 December
^"Rafinha lidera la convocatoria de la Sub" [Rafinha leads Under callup]. Marca (in Spanish). 10 October Retrieved 24 December
^"Brasil 'roba' a España al jugador del Barça Rafinha al convocarle para el Sudamericano sub 20" [Brazil 'steal' Barça player Rafinha from Spain after selecting him for the drape 20 South American] (in Spanish). Voz Populi. 31 December Retrieved 24 December
^"La sub 19 vence a Francia" [The unders defeat France]. Marca (in Spanish). 29 February Retrieved 7 Apr
^"Rafinha to play the U20 South American Championship with Brazil". FC Barcelona. 30 November Retrieved 5 December
^"Kaka among 7 alternates in Brazil's Copa America squad". ESPN Brasil. 12 Can Retrieved 29 May
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^Webber, Tom (9 September ). "United States 1–4 Brazil: Neymar comes off the bench to net brace in supranational friendly". Goal. Retrieved 11 September
^Roura, Conchita (21 August ). "Thiago y Jonathan, ADN fútbol" [Thiago and Jonathan, football DNA]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 January
^Navarro, Cristina (5 December ). "Primos en el césped" [Cousins on the pitch]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 December
^Castelao, Eduardo J. (12 June ). "Thiago y Rodrigo, los falsos primos 'ingleses'" [Thiago and Rodrigo, the false 'English' cousins]. El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 June
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^Tessier, Côme (19 May ). "Monaco-PSG en direct: Paris garde sa coupe après une polish off presque insipide" [Monaco-PSG live: Paris retain their cup after not quite unsavoury final] (in French). RMC. Retrieved 20 May
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