Rafaël Dias (footballer born 1991)
Encyclopedia
Rafaël Marques Dias Brito (born 29 January 1991 in Covilhã
), commonly known as Rafaël Dias, is a Franco
-Portuguese
football
player currently playing for French club Sochaux
in Ligue 1
. He was a France youth international
having earned caps with the under-15
and under-16
teams, but recently switched allegiances to his birth country Portugal
after joining up with the nation's under-20
team in 2010.
Dias plays as an attacking midfielder and is the son of former S.C. Covilhã player Quim Brito, as well as the nephew of former Portuguese international
César Brito
. He made his professional debut on 7 April 2010 in a league match against Marseille
. On 2 September 2010, Dias signed his first professional contract agreeing to a three-year deal with Sochaux until June 2013.
, Portugal
. At six months old, his family moved to France
after his father, Quim Brito, a football player, signed with FC 4 Rivières 70, an amateur club located in Dampierre-sur-Salon
in the Franche-Comté
region
. Dias began his football career playing for 4 Rivières at the age of five in 1996. He spent seven years at the club and, in 2003, signed youth papers with professional club Sochaux
.
Serdar Gürler
, striker
Cédric Bakambu
, and goalkeeper Pierrick Cros
. In the 2008–09 season, Dias began appearing with the club's reserve team in the Championnat de France amateur. He made his amateur debut on 29 November 2008 in a league match against Colmar
appearing as a substitute. Dias finished the campaign with eight appearances; seven of them as a substitute.
During the 2009–10 season
, Dias continued to developed with the club's reserve team in the fourth division. He appeared in 15 matches scoring six goals. Also during the season, Dias was a part of the Sochaux under-19 team that reached the final
of the Coupe Gambardella
, the country's prestigious youth cup competition. In the lead up to the final, he scored doubles against Toulouse
and Nantes in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively. In the final match against Metz
at the Stade de France
, Sochaux were defeated 4–3 on penalties. Dias converted his penalty, however, early failed attempts by Gürler and Clément Giraud dashed the team's hopes. It was later reported by the media that scouts of English
club Tottenham Hotspur
attended the game to watch Dias.
Midway through the 2009–10 Ligue 1
season, Dias, alongside Gürler, began integrating with the first team after manager
Francis Gillot
announced his desire to give the club's youth talent an opportunity. On 7 April 2010, he made his professional debut in a league match against Marseille
. Dias appeared as a substitute in the match and played 16 minutes in a 3–0 defeat. Two weeks later, he made another league appearance, again as a substitute in another 3–0 defeat, this time against Boulogne
.
Following the season, Dias spent the summer training with Portuguese Liga
club Benfica. Benfica wanted the player to remain at the club, however, due to being under contract with Sochaux, he returned to France for pre-season training. On 2 September 2010, Dias signed his first professional contract agreeing to a three-year deal with Sochaux until June 2013. He was officially promoted to the senior team and assigned the number 28 shirt. Dias, however, still remains a fixture on the club's reserve team in the CFA having scored four goals in 10 appearances. His first professional appearance of the season came on 16 October in a 2–0 defeat to Montpellier
.
, thus making him eligible to represent both Portugal
and France
at international level. At the age of 14, Dias represented France at under-15 level. The following year, he was called up to the under-16 team
by coach Francis Smerecki. Dias appeared in two friendly matches against Poland
in March 2007. Between 2007–2010, Dias was not selected by Smerecki for international duty.
In 2010, Dias announced his intent to represent Portugal at international level and confirmed his decision by declining the opportunity to attend a training camp for future France national under-21
players. He was later selected by the Portugal under-20 team
. On 7 October 2010, Dias made his debut with the under-20 team in a friendly match against France
. The following month, he was called up to the team against to participate in training sessions with the team preparing for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup
.
Covilhã
Covilhã is a city in Covilha Municipality in Centro region, Portugal. The city proper has 36,723 inhabitants, and the municipality has an area of 555.6 km² with a total population of 53,501, being composed of 31 parishes. It is located in the Cova da Beira subregion, in the district of...
), commonly known as Rafaël Dias, is a Franco
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
-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...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player currently playing for French club Sochaux
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...
in Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
. He was a France youth international
France national youth football team
The France national youth football team are the national under-20, under-19, under-18, under-17 and under-16 football teams of France and are controlled by the Fédération Française de Football. The youth teams of France participate in tournaments sanctioned by both FIFA and UEFA and also...
having earned caps with the under-15
France national youth football team
The France national youth football team are the national under-20, under-19, under-18, under-17 and under-16 football teams of France and are controlled by the Fédération Française de Football. The youth teams of France participate in tournaments sanctioned by both FIFA and UEFA and also...
and under-16
France national under-16 football team
The France national under-16 football team is the national under-16 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team previously competed in the annual UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship before it was converted into an under-17 competition in 2002...
teams, but recently switched allegiances to his birth country Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
after joining up with the nation's under-20
Portugal national under-20 football team
The Portugal national under-20 football team is the national under-20 football team of Portugal and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal....
team in 2010.
Dias plays as an attacking midfielder and is the son of former S.C. Covilhã player Quim Brito, as well as the nephew of former Portuguese international
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
César Brito
César Brito
César Gonçalves de Brito Duarte , known as Brito, is a retired Portuguese footballer who played as a striker.-Club career:...
. He made his professional debut on 7 April 2010 in a league match against Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
. On 2 September 2010, Dias signed his first professional contract agreeing to a three-year deal with Sochaux until June 2013.
Early career
Dias was born on 7 January 1991 in CovilhãCovilhã
Covilhã is a city in Covilha Municipality in Centro region, Portugal. The city proper has 36,723 inhabitants, and the municipality has an area of 555.6 km² with a total population of 53,501, being composed of 31 parishes. It is located in the Cova da Beira subregion, in the district of...
, Portugal
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...
. At six months old, his family moved to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
after his father, Quim Brito, a football player, signed with FC 4 Rivières 70, an amateur club located in Dampierre-sur-Salon
Dampierre-sur-Salon
Dampierre-sur-Salon is a commune in the Haute-Saône department in the region of Franche-Comté in eastern France.-References:*...
in the Franche-Comté
Franche-Comté
Franche-Comté the former "Free County" of Burgundy, as distinct from the neighbouring Duchy, is an administrative region and a traditional province of eastern France...
region
Régions of France
France is divided into 27 administrative regions , 22 of which are in Metropolitan France, and five of which are overseas. Corsica is a territorial collectivity , but is considered a region in mainstream usage, and is even shown as such on the INSEE website...
. Dias began his football career playing for 4 Rivières at the age of five in 1996. He spent seven years at the club and, in 2003, signed youth papers with professional club Sochaux
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...
.
Sochaux
Upon his arrival to the club, Dias was inserted into the club's youth academy. He quickly rose through the ranks of the academy and established himself as one of the club's top prospects in his age group alongside fellow midfielderMidfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
Serdar Gürler
Serdar Gürler
Serdar Gürler is a French-born Turkish football player who currently plays for Turkish club Samsunspor in the Süper Lig on loan from Ligue 1 club Sochaux. He is a Turkish youth international having earned caps with the under-18 and under-19 teams. Gürler plays as an attacking midfielder and is...
, striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
Cédric Bakambu
Cédric Bakambu
Cédric Bakambu is a French football player who currently plays for Ligue 1 club Sochaux. He operates primarily in the lead striker role. Bakambu is a French youth international and has represented his country at both under-18 and under-19 level. He was a part of the team that won the 2010 UEFA...
, and goalkeeper Pierrick Cros
Pierrick Cros
Pierrick Cros is a French football player who plays as a goalkeeper for French club Sochaux in Ligue 1. He is a French youth international and has served as the goalkeeper at under-16 and under-17 level. On 30 October 2010, he made his professional debut in a league match against Lyon. Sochaux...
. In the 2008–09 season, Dias began appearing with the club's reserve team in the Championnat de France amateur. He made his amateur debut on 29 November 2008 in a league match against Colmar
SR Colmar
Sports Réunis Colmar is a French association football team founded in 1920.-History:They are based in Colmar, Alsace and are currently playing in the Championnat National, the third tier in the French football after winning Group A of the Championnat de France amateur in the 2009–10 season. The...
appearing as a substitute. Dias finished the campaign with eight appearances; seven of them as a substitute.
During the 2009–10 season
2009–10 in French football
The 2009–10 season was the 77th season of competitive professional football in France.The season began on 7 August 2009 for the Championnat National and Ligue 2 and on 8 August for Ligue 1 and the Championnat de France amateur...
, Dias continued to developed with the club's reserve team in the fourth division. He appeared in 15 matches scoring six goals. Also during the season, Dias was a part of the Sochaux under-19 team that reached the final
2010 Coupe Gambardella Final
The 2010 Coupe Gambardella Final was the 55th final of France's youth cup competition. The final took place on 1 May 2010 at the Stade de France in the Parisian suburb of Saint-Denis and served as a curtain raiser for the final of the Coupe de France. The match was contested between Sochaux and Metz...
of the Coupe Gambardella
2009–10 Coupe Gambardella
The 2009–10 Coupe Gambardella was the 55th edition of the French cup competition reserved for male under-19 football players. The competition is organized by the French Football Federation. The final was contested on 1 May 2010 at the Stade de France and served as a curtain raiser for the 2009–10...
, the country's prestigious youth cup competition. In the lead up to the final, he scored doubles against Toulouse
Toulouse FC
Toulouse Football Club is a French association football club based in the city of Toulouse. The club was founded in 1970 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Toulouse plays its home matches at the Stadium Municipal located within the city. The first team is managed by...
and Nantes in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively. In the final match against Metz
FC Metz
Football Club de Metz, commonly referred to as simply Metz , is a French association football club based in Metz. The club was formed in 1932 and has spent most of its history in the Ligue 1, though they currently play in Ligue 2, the second level in French football league system. Metz plays its...
at the Stade de France
Stade de France
The Stade de France is the national stadium of France, situated just north of Paris in the commune of Saint-Denis. It has an all-seater capacity of 80,000, making it the fifth largest stadium in Europe, and is used by both the France national football team and French rugby union team for...
, Sochaux were defeated 4–3 on penalties. Dias converted his penalty, however, early failed attempts by Gürler and Clément Giraud dashed the team's hopes. It was later reported by the media that scouts of English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
club Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
attended the game to watch Dias.
Midway through the 2009–10 Ligue 1
2009–10 Ligue 1
The 2009–10 Ligue 1 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Bordeaux were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 5 June 2009, and play commenced on 8 August and ended on 15 May 2010. There were three promoted teams from Ligue 2, replacing the three teams that were relegated...
season, Dias, alongside Gürler, began integrating with the first team after manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
Francis Gillot
Francis Gillot
Francis Gillot is a former football defender and current manager of Girondins de Bordeaux.Gillot was named head coach of Bordeaux on 6 June 2011. He signed a two-year deal with the club.-References:*...
announced his desire to give the club's youth talent an opportunity. On 7 April 2010, he made his professional debut in a league match against Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
. Dias appeared as a substitute in the match and played 16 minutes in a 3–0 defeat. Two weeks later, he made another league appearance, again as a substitute in another 3–0 defeat, this time against Boulogne
US Boulogne
Union Sportive de Boulogne-sur-Mer Côte d'Opale is a French association football club based in the commune of Boulogne-sur-Mer. The club was founded in 1898 and currently plays in Ligue 2, the second of division of French football, having been relegated from Ligue 1 during the 2009–10 season.The...
.
Following the season, Dias spent the summer training with Portuguese Liga
Portuguese Liga
The Primeira Liga , formerly called Primeira Divisão, currently named Liga ZON Sagres after their main sponsors, is the top professional association football division of the Portuguese football league system...
club Benfica. Benfica wanted the player to remain at the club, however, due to being under contract with Sochaux, he returned to France for pre-season training. On 2 September 2010, Dias signed his first professional contract agreeing to a three-year deal with Sochaux until June 2013. He was officially promoted to the senior team and assigned the number 28 shirt. Dias, however, still remains a fixture on the club's reserve team in the CFA having scored four goals in 10 appearances. His first professional appearance of the season came on 16 October in a 2–0 defeat to Montpellier
Montpellier HSC
Montpellier Hérault Sport Club is a French association football club based in the city of Montpellier. The club was founded in 1919 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Montpellier plays its home matches at the Stade de la Mosson, located within the city...
.
International
Though Dias was born in Portugal, due to living in France since he was six months old, he acquired citizenshipCitizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
, thus making him eligible to represent both Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
and France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
at international level. At the age of 14, Dias represented France at under-15 level. The following year, he was called up to the under-16 team
France national under-16 football team
The France national under-16 football team is the national under-16 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team previously competed in the annual UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship before it was converted into an under-17 competition in 2002...
by coach Francis Smerecki. Dias appeared in two friendly matches against Poland
Poland national under-16 football team
The Poland national under-16 football team represents Poland in international football at this age level and is controlled by Polish Football Association....
in March 2007. Between 2007–2010, Dias was not selected by Smerecki for international duty.
In 2010, Dias announced his intent to represent Portugal at international level and confirmed his decision by declining the opportunity to attend a training camp for future France national under-21
France national under-21 football team
The France national under-21 football team , known in France as Les Espoirs , is the national under-21 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
players. He was later selected by the Portugal under-20 team
Portugal national under-20 football team
The Portugal national under-20 football team is the national under-20 football team of Portugal and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal....
. On 7 October 2010, Dias made his debut with the under-20 team in a friendly match against France
France national under-20 football team
The France national under-20 football team is the national under-20 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every two years and the Toulon Tournament, which is held every May when football league...
. The following month, he was called up to the team against to participate in training sessions with the team preparing for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup
2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the eighteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup since its inception in 1977 as the FIFA World Youth Championship. Colombia hosted the tournament between 29 July and 20 August 2011, with matches being played in eight cities...
.
Career statistics
(Correct as of 19 November 2010)| Club | Season | League | CupIncludes Coupe de France Coupe de France The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation... , Coupe de la Ligue Coupe de la Ligue The Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel... , Trophée des Champions Trophée des champions The Trophée des champions , is a French association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France. It is equivalent to the Super Cups found in many countries... |
Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... Includes UEFA Supercup |
Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||
| Sochaux FC Sochaux-Montbéliard Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city... |
2009–10 2009–10 Ligue 1 The 2009–10 Ligue 1 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Bordeaux were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 5 June 2009, and play commenced on 8 August and ended on 15 May 2010. There were three promoted teams from Ligue 2, replacing the three teams that were relegated... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010–11 2010–11 Ligue 1 The 2010–11 Ligue 1 season was the 73rd since its establishment. Entering the season, Marseille were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 21 May 2010 and the season began on 7 August and ended on 29 May 2011. The winter break was in effect between 23 December and 15 January 2011... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Career total | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |