Rafael (footballer, born March 1982)
Rafael de Andrade Bittencourt Pinheiro simply known as Rafael, is a Brazilian retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He also holds an Italian passport.
Biography
Early career
He left Brazil for Italy after playing 17 matches in 2007 Campeonato Paulista for Esporte Clube São Bento, ahead of Maurício Assoline. He was an understudy of Júlio Sérgio and Fábio Costa at Santos FC.Verona
In Verona, after missing only three games in four seasons of Lega Pro, the third highest football league in Italy, Rafael played a crucial role in helping his team reach the [2010–11 Lega Pro Prima Divisione|Lega Pro Prima Divisione|2010–11] Lega Pro Division One playoffs and win them, to return to Serie B after a four-year absence. Two seasons later, the Brazilian goalkeeper and his teammates of Verona reach the second place and were promoted to Serie A, with Rafael that impose itself as the best goalkeeper in the junior category.Rafael was successively confirmed as first choice keeper for the club's Serie A comeback season in 2013, despite the signing of Bulgarian international Nikolay Mihaylov, playing 37 games out of 38 during the full championship.
Cagliari
In 2016 he was sold to Cagliari, with Marco Fossati moved to opposite direction. Cagliari also loaned out its backup goalkeeper Simone Colombi in the same week.Spezia
On 17 September 2020, Rafael joined Spezia on a free transfer.Career statistics
1European competitions include the UEFA Champions League.2Other tournaments include the Supercoppa Italiana and Serie B relegation play–offs.