Raí

Raí Souza Vieira de Oliveira (born 15 May 1965), known mononymously as Raí , is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. The younger brother of former Brazil captain Sócrates, Raí also captained the Brazil national team and was part of the squad that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

He spent most of his 15-year career with São Paulo and Paris Saint-Germain, winning 10 major titles and scoring nearly 100 goals across the two clubs. Raí is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Paris Saint-Germain's history.

Club career Early years Born into a middle-class family in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Raí played street football and basketball during his youth. At the age of 15, he began pursuing football seriously and joined local club Botafogo after a friend encouraged him to attend a trial. He made his official debut in 1984 and, following a series of promising performances, signed for Série A club Ponte Preta two years later. However, injuries and a loss of form led to his return to Botafogo, where he revived his career under Uruguayan coach Pedro Rocha. His performances subsequently earned him a call-up to the Brazil national team and attracted interest from several clubs. remaining with São Paulo until the end of the year. He still managed to contribute with six goals in 28 Ligue 1 games as his new club won the national championship for the second time in its history; he helped PSG to the following season's French Cup, and was on target in the League Cup final against SC Bastia (2–0). He also reached the semi-finals of the 1994–95 UEFA Champions League with PSG.

Raí once again proved essential as PSG won the 1996 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, scoring twice in a 3–1 home win against Parma, after a 1–0 away loss. He also appeared in the final against SK Rapid Wien, and went on to score three seasons in double digits during his five-season spell. In 1997–98 he scored in both the Coupe de la Ligue final and the Coupe de France final against Bordeaux and Lens respectively as PSG won both games.

Return to São Paulo In May 1998, shortly before his 33rd birthday, Raí returned to São Paulo after five seasons with Paris Saint-Germain. Negotiations for his return had begun in December 1997, and he was released from the remainder of his contract in time to be registered for the second leg of the 1998 Campeonato Paulista final against Corinthians. Having trained only briefly with his new teammates, he started the match on 10 May and headed the opening goal as São Paulo overturned a 2–1 first-leg defeat with a 3–1 victory to win the state championship.

On 9 August 1998, Raí ruptured the cruciate ligaments in his left knee following a challenge during a league match against Cruzeiro, requiring surgery and an extended period of rehabilitation. He later returned to the team and added another Campeonato Paulista title in 2000. In July of that year, he announced that he would retire following the Copa dos Campeões. His final professional appearance came on 22 July in a 3–1 defeat to Sport. Across his two spells with São Paulo, he made 395 appearances, scored 128 goals and won nine trophies.

International career Raí entered the 1994 FIFA World Cup as Brazil's captain and number 10, and was described in the British press as the team's "poster boy" before the tournament. He appeared as a substitute against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals and Sweden in the semi-finals, as Brazil went on to win the tournament.

Style of play Raí often advanced from midfield to finish attacking moves and posing a particular danger from set pieces. His blend of technique and physical presence enabled him to influence matches both as a creator and as a scorer.

Early in his career, Raí was criticised for his languid style of play and inconsistent work rate. Under Telê Santana at São Paulo, however, he developed greater tactical discipline and became a more complete midfielder. He later established himself as the central playmaker at Paris Saint-Germain, where he dictated his team's attacking play from midfield. His footballing intelligence, composure and leadership were also regarded as important aspects of his game.

Raí also became active in social advocacy and football administration. In December 1998, he co-founded the Fundação Gol de Letra with former teammate Leonardo, providing educational, sporting, cultural and vocational programmes for young people in disadvantaged communities in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. In 2006, he helped establish Atletas pela Cidadania, later renamed Atletas pelo Brasil, which campaigns for access to sport and improved public sports policy.

On 7 December 2017, Raí returned to São Paulo as the club's executive director of football, assuming responsibility for its football department and sporting planning. He remained in the position for just over three years. In February 2021, following the dismissal of head coach Fernando Diniz, Raí resigned before the scheduled end of his contract.

In July 2022, Raí became a shareholder and ambassador of Paris FC, contributing to the club's institutional development while not being involved in its day-to-day sporting operations. In 2024, he completed an Executive Master in Public Policy Management at Sciences Po, which he undertook in connection with his social and educational work through the Gol de Letra Foundation.

Personal life Raí is the youngest of six sons and the younger brother of former Brazil captain Sócrates. Their father, an avid reader with an interest in classical philosophy, named his three eldest sons Sócrates, Sóstenes and Sófocles. Raí's name was derived from the first syllable of his father's name, Raimundo.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours São Paulo Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 1991 Campeonato Paulista: 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1998, 2000 Copa Libertadores: 1992, 1993 Intercontinental Cup: 1992

Paris Saint-Germain Division 1: 1993–94 Coupe de France: 1994–95, 1997–98 Coupe de la Ligue: 1994–95, 1997–98 Trophée des Champions: 1995 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1995–96; runner-up 1996–97

Brazil FIFA World Cup: 1994 Copa América runner-up: 1991

Individual Bola de Prata: 1989 Intercontinental Cup Most Valuable Player of the Match Award: 1992 South American Footballer of the Year: 1992 South American Team of the Year: 1992 IFFHS World's Best International Goal Scorer: 1992 French Division 1 Foreign Player of the Year: 1995, 1997 ESM Team of the Year: 1995–96 Laureus Sport for Good Award: 2012

Orders and special awards Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur: 2013 Honorary degree of the Paris Nanterre University: 2019