Rafael

Rafael Pires Monteiro (born 23 June 1989 in Coronel Fabriciano), known simply as Rafael, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Atletico Mineiro.

Club Career

Rafael joined the youth ranks of Cruzeiro in 2002 and received his first call up to the first team squad six years later. He made his professional debut on 30 January 2010, in a Campeonato Mineiro 3–0 defeat to Ipatinga. On 4 December 2011, he was in the starting lineup in one of Cruzeiro's most famed Classico Mineiro wins, in which they beat rivals Atletico Mineiro 6–1 in the last round of that year's Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A and avoided relegation.

During Cruzeiro's 2016 Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A campaign, Rafael served as the main goalkeeper, while the first choice and club captain Fabio recovered from a long-term injury. During the first months of 2017, he and Fabio battled for the spot, with Rafael starting in most of the 2017 Campeonato Mineiro matches.

On 3 March 2020, Rafael joined Atletico Mineiro on a three-year deal.