Rafael Pires Monteiro

Rafael Pires Monteiro (born 23 June 1989), known simply as Rafael, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club São Paulo.

Club career Cruzeiro Rafael joined the youth ranks of Cruzeiro in 2002 and received his first call up to the first team squad six years later. He made his professional debut on 30 January 2010, in a Campeonato Mineiro 3–0 defeat to Ipatinga. On 4 December 2011, he was in the starting lineup in one of Cruzeiro's most famed Clássico Mineiro wins, in which they beat rivals Atlético Mineiro 6–1 in the last round of that year's Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and avoided relegation.

During Cruzeiro's 2016 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A campaign, Rafael served as the main goalkeeper, while the first choice and club captain Fábio recovered from a long-term injury. During the first months of 2017, he and Fábio battled for the spot, with Rafael starting in most of the 2017 Campeonato Mineiro matches.

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

São Paulo On 8 December 2022, Rafael signed a three-year deal with São Paulo.

International career On 19 May 2024, Rafael was called up for the Brazil national team to participate the 2024 Copa América as a replacement for Ederson due to injury.

Career statistics

Honours Clubs Cruzeiro Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2013, 2014 Copa do Brasil: 2017, 2018 Campeonato Mineiro: 2009, 2011, 2014, 2018, 2019 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Jr.: 2007

Atlético Mineiro Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2021 Copa do Brasil: 2021 Campeonato Mineiro: 2020, 2021, 2022 Supercopa do Brasil: 2022

São Paulo Copa do Brasil: 2023 Supercopa do Brasil: 2024

International Brazil U20 South American Youth Championship: 2009

Individual 2024 Supercopa do Brasil Man of the Match