Hamza Rafia


Hamza Rafia is a Tunisian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for club Espérance de Tunis and the Tunisia national team.
Born in Tunisia, Rafia initially represented France at youth level, before switching allegiance to his native country, making his senior debut for Tunisia in 2019.

Early life

Born on 22 April 1999 in Kalaat es Senam, Tunisia, Rafia moved to France as a child and played in the youth sectors of Bron Terraillon, Bron Grand Lyon, and Lyon.

Club career

Lyon B

Coming through the youth system, Rafia played for the reserve team of Lyon in the Championnat de France Amateur, the fourth division of French football. He made his debut on 28 May 2016, during the 2015–16 [Championnat de France Amateur|2015–16 season], in a 4–3 home defeat to Moulins Yzeure Foot. His first goal for Lyon B came during the 2018–19 season, on 18 August 2018, helping his side win 5–2 against AS [Monaco FC B|Monaco B]. Rafia scored five goals in 18 league games throughout the season. In four seasons, he scored five goals in 26 games.

Juventus U23

On 16 July 2019, Rafia joined Juventus on a three-year contract, for a fee of €400,000, which can reach €5 million in add-ons, and 20% on his future sale. Rafia played for Juventus' reserve team in the Serie C – Juventus U23 – making his professional debut in a 2–0 away loss to Novara in the league on 26 August 2019.
On 18 December, Rafia scored his first goal for Juventus U23 in a 2–1 away victory over Piacenza, in the quarter-finals of the 2019–20 [Coppa Italia Serie C|Coppa Italia Serie C]. He helped Juventus U23 win the tournament, scoring against Ternana in the final, which ended 2–1. During the 2019–20 season, Rafia played 20 games in the league, two in the promotion play-offs, and scored three goals and made three assists in the Coppa Italia Serie C. On 29 November 2020, Rafia scored his first goal in Serie C in a 2–1 away loss against Olbia.

Juventus

On 13 January 2021, Rafia made his senior debut for Juventus, coming on as a 77th-minute substitute in a Coppa Italia match against Genoa; he scored in the 104th minute, helping Juventus win 3–2 after extra time.

Loan to Standard Liège

On 18 August 2021, Rafia moved to Belgian side Standard Liège on loan.

Loan to Cremonese

On 31 January 2022, Rafia moved to Serie B side Cremonese.

Pescara

On 27 January 2023, Rafia signed a 2.5-year contract with Serie C club Pescara.

Lecce

On 18 July 2023, Rafia signed a three-year contract with Serie A club Lecce. He made his top-tier debut in their season opener against Lazio on 20 August 2023.

Style of play

Rafia is an attacking midfielder also capable of playing as a right winger.

International career

Rafia represented France at under-17 football team|under-17] and under-18 football team|under-18] levels, but decided to represent Tunisia at senior level. He made his senior debut on 6 September 2019, coming off the bench in a 1–0 friendly win over Mauritania.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
112 September 202330 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt3–13–1Friendly
217 November 2023Hammadi Agrebi Stadium, Tunis, Tunisia3–04–02026 [FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group H|2026 FIFA World Cup qualification]
320 January 2024Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo, Ivory Coast1–11–12023 [Africa Cup of Nations Group E|2023 Africa Cup of Nations]
414 November 2024Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa1–03–22025 Africa [Cup of Nations qualification Group A|2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification]

Honours

Juventus U23
Juventus