Rafinha (footballer, born April 1988)

For other people named Rafinha, see Rafinha (disambiguation).

Rafinha

Personal information
Full name	Rafael Chagas Machado[1]
Date of birth	(1988-04-01) 1 April 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth	Campo Mourão, Brazil
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s)	Left back / Left midfielder
Youth career
	Atlético Sorocaba
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2007	Atlético Sorocaba
2009	Marília	1	(1)
2010–2011	Metropolitano	0	(0)
2011–2012	Vaduz	19	(1)
2013	Metropolitano	0	(0)
2013	Joinville	23	(1)
2014	Avaí	0	(0)
2014	Vila Nova	4	(0)
2015	Foz do Iguaçu	2	(0)
2016–2020	CSA	161	(7)
2021	Náutico	21	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 September 2021

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Chagas and the second or paternal family name is Machado.

Rafael Chagas Machado (born 1 April 1988), commonly known as Rafinha is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a left back.

Club career

Born in Campo Mourão, Rafinha made his professional debut with Atlético Sorocaba in 2007. In the following years, he went on to represent Marília and Metropolitano.

On 13 May 2011, Rafinha moved abroad and joined Liechtensteiner club Vaduz on a one-year contract.[2] On 4 August, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 victory against Hapoel Tel Aviv in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers, although his side was eliminated due aggregate defeat.[3] On 4 April 2012, he scored a goal in a 3–1 win against Triesenberg in Liechtenstein Cup, as a result of which his side progressed to the final of the Cup.[4]

After a stint with Metropolitano, Rafinha signed with Joinville on 25 April 2013.[5] On 4 June, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 victory against ASA.[6]

In January 2014, Rafinha moved to Avaí.[7] On 16 June, he moved to Vila Nova for the upcoming Série B.[8]

After spending one season with Foz do Iguaçu in Série D, Rafinha switched to fellow league club side CSA on 21 November 2015.[9] In his first season with the club, he provided ten assists, with his side winning promotion to Série C.[10]

Rafinha played regularly during the 2018 Série B, with his side achieving promotion to Série A after finishing Série B as runners-up. His contract was also extended for 2019 in December.[11]

Style of play

Although a left back, Rafinha can also play in the left midfield position.[1]

Honours

Náutico

• Campeonato Pernambucano: 2021

References

1. "FCV verpflichtet Rafinha und Hasler" [FCV obliged Rafinha and Hasler] (in German). Volksblatt. 13 May 2011. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
2. "Hasler und Rafinha wechseln zum FC Vaduz" [Hasler and Rafinha move to FC Vaduz] (in German). Sportzeit. 13 May 2011. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
3. "Achtungserfolg für FC Vaduz" [Eighth success for FC Vaduz] (in German). 20min. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
4. "FC Vaduz steht nach 3:1-Sieg im Cupfinale" [FC Vaduz are in the Cup Final after a 3-1 victory] (in German). Vaterland. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
5. "Mais um destaque deixa o Metrô, e Rafinha é apresentado no Joinville" [Another highlight leaves the Metro, and Rafinha is presented in Joinville] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 25 April 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
6. "Rafinha marca golaço, sofre pênalti e fala em noite 'inspirada' pelo Joinville" [Rafinha scores a goal, takes a penalty and speaks at night 'inspired' by Joinville] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
7. "NOVOS CONTRATADOS TREINAM NO CFA" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Avaí. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
8. "Vila Nova contrata lateral Rafinha, ex-Avaí" [Vila Nova contracts lateral Rafinha, ex-Avaí] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Futebol Interior. 16 June 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
9. "Acabou parte do mistério: CSA oficializa nomes de 13 reforços e apresenta novos uniformes" [Part of the mystery is over: CSA officializes names of 13 reinforcements and presents new uniforms] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Tnh1. 21 November 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
10. "Quem fica: lateral do CSA, Rafinha fecha a temporada com 10 assistências" [Who stays: side of the CSA, Rafinha closes the season with 10 assists] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
11. "Heróis da resistência: Didira, Leandro Souza e Rafinha sobem com o CSA da Série D para A" [Resistance heroes: Didira, Leandro Souza and Rafinha go up with the CSA of Series D for A] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2019.

External links

• Rafinha at playmakerstats.com (English version of ogol.com.br)
• Rafinha at Soccerway