Emídio Rafael
Encyclopedia
Emídio Rafael Augusto Silva (born 24 January 1986 in Lisbon
) is a Portuguese
footballer who plays for F.C. Porto as a left defender.
, spending one season apiece with Casa Pia A.C.
and Real Sport Clube
(both in the Lisbon
area), and being released by the Lions in 2007.
Subsequently, Rafael signed for Portimonense S.C.
in the second level
, being first-choice in his first season, and regularly used in the following
. In 2009–10, he made his top flight debut, with Académica de Coimbra, his first appearance in the competition being on 13 September 2009, in a 1–2 away loss against S.C. Olhanense; he only missed four league games as the Students easily retained their division status.
In the ensuing off-season, Rafael followed manager André Villas-Boas to F.C. Porto. He rarely made the list of 18 in the first months at his new club, but profitted from a run of injuries in the first team to gain more playing time. On 29 January 2011, he scored in a 2–2 draw at Gil Vicente F.C. for the season
's Portuguese League Cup, but also sustained an horrific last-minute injury to his foot
, being sidelined for several months; he finished his first year with the northerners
with 11 official games (two goals).
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
) is a Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
footballer who plays for F.C. Porto as a left defender.
Football career
Rafael spent six years with local Sporting Clube de Portugal - youth years comprised - but never represented its first team officially. On loan, he made his senior debuts in the third divisionPortuguese Second Division
The Portuguese Second Division is a football league in Portugal, situated at the third level of the Portuguese football league system...
, spending one season apiece with Casa Pia A.C.
Casa Pia A.C.
Casa Pia Atlético Clube is a sports association founded in 1920 and based in Lisbon, Portugal. The club is named after Casa Pia, a Portuguese children's charity, and many of its athletes come from that institution...
and Real Sport Clube
Real Sport Clube
Real Sport Clube is a Portuguese football club situated in Queluz that competes in the Portuguese Second Division. They were founded in 1951.-Current squad:...
(both in the Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
area), and being released by the Lions in 2007.
Subsequently, Rafael signed for Portimonense S.C.
Portimonense S.C.
Portimonense Sporting Clube is a Portuguese football team based in Portimão. Founded on 14 August 1914, the club is one of the few professional clubs in the Algarve region, and currently plays in second division....
in the second level
Liga de Honra
The Liga de Honra , known for sponsorship reasons as the Liga Orangina, is the Portuguese second level football league. It was formerly called Segunda Divisão and Segunda Divisão de Honra . When the LPFP took control of the two nationwide levels, it was renamed Segunda Liga, before renaming it...
, being first-choice in his first season, and regularly used in the following
2008–09 Liga de Honra
The 2008–09 Liga de Honra season is the nineteenth since its establishment. Trofense are the defending champions.-Teams promoted to Liga de Honra:*Oliveirense*Sporting Covilhã-League table:-Summary:...
. In 2009–10, he made his top flight debut, with Académica de Coimbra, his first appearance in the competition being on 13 September 2009, in a 1–2 away loss against S.C. Olhanense; he only missed four league games as the Students easily retained their division status.
In the ensuing off-season, Rafael followed manager André Villas-Boas to F.C. Porto. He rarely made the list of 18 in the first months at his new club, but profitted from a run of injuries in the first team to gain more playing time. On 29 January 2011, he scored in a 2–2 draw at Gil Vicente F.C. for the season
2010–11 Taça da Liga
The 2010–11 Taça da Liga was the fourth edition of the portuguese Taça da Liga. The first matches were played on August 8, 2010. The final was scheduled on April 23, 2011 where Benfica beat Paços de Ferreira 2-1, and won their third title. The final was played at the Estadio Cidade de Coimbra,...
's Portuguese League Cup, but also sustained an horrific last-minute injury to his foot
Foot
The foot is an anatomical structure found in many vertebrates. It is the terminal portion of a limb which bears weight and allows locomotion. In many animals with feet, the foot is a separate organ at the terminal part of the leg made up of one or more segments or bones, generally including claws...
, being sidelined for several months; he finished his first year with the northerners
Porto
Porto , also known as Oporto in English, is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the major urban areas in the Iberian Peninsula. Its administrative limits include a population of 237,559 inhabitants distributed within 15 civil parishes...
with 11 official games (two goals).