Rafael Sobis

Rafael Augusto Sobis do Nascimento (born 17 June 1985) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Cruzeiro.

Before joining Ceara, Sobis played for Internacional, Real Betis, Al-Jazira, Fluminense and Tigres UANL. He won the Copa Libertadores with Internacional, and was a runner-up with Tigres in 2015.

Sobis also represented the Brazil national team, winning a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics.

Club Career

Internacional

Born in Erechim, Rio Grande do Sul, he started in the youth categories of Internacional, known only as Rafael. Inter's president at the time, Fernando Carvalho, suggested the change to only Sobis, his maternal surname of Ukrainian origins, because it could be more attractive for the European leagues, where the boy could get dual citizenship.

He went to the main team in 2004 and quickly won a place in it, being known by his name along the surname (with acute accent), Rafael Sobis. Sobis scored 19 goals in 35 matches in the 2005 season at the age of 19. In the following year, he was one of the main players in the Internacional squad that finished the Brazilian League in second place, and was selected by the CBF to play in the all star team at the end of the season. The 2006 season started slowly for him, as he fought against a series of injuries. He eventually recovered his place in the first team and helped Internacional secure the Copa Libertadores title; scoring twice in the first-leg of the final match against Sao Paulo.

Real Betis

Sobis signed for Real Betis in August 2006 for €9 million, (R$21.8 million) putting pen to paper on an 8-year contract, a length reminiscent to that of fellow Brazilian international Denilson. Internacional only received 25% of the fee and the rest belong to other parties. Among 25% of Inter, R$272,500 was further deducted as agent fee. He was officially unveiled to the press on 8 September and made his Real Betis and La Liga debu

This page also has a version in other languages :  Рафаэл Собис (russian)