Career
He currently plays for Hellas Verona in Serie A. He also holds an Italian passport. He arrived in Italy after playing 17 (of 19) matches in 2007 Campeonato Paulista, ahead of Maurício. He was an understudy of Júlio Sérgio, Fábio Costa and Doni at Santos Football Club. 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 (only 29 goals conceded in 40 games).
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.
