Rai

Rai Souza Vieira de Oliveira (born 15 May 1965), known as Rai (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁaˈi]), is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.

He spent the better part of his 15-year career with Sao Paulo and Paris Saint-Germain, winning 10 major titles with the two teams combined, and nearing the 100-goal mark. He is considered by fans, journalists and players as the greatest legend of Paris Saint-Germain despite his relatively short period at the club. He is the younger brother of more famous Brazilian footballer Socrates.

Rai played with Brazil for more than a decade, helping the country win the 1994 World Cup.

Club Career

Early years

Born in Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Rai started his career with local Botafogo Futebol Clube (SP), signing in 1986 with Associacao Atletica Ponte Preta, with which he made his Serie A debuts.

Sao Paulo

Rai joined Sao Paulo FC for the 1987 season, only making his league debut on 18 October due to injury. He only scored once in his first year but, following the arrival of Tele Santana as coach, blossomed into a prolific scorer, scoring 28 overall in the 1991 campaign as the team won both the regional Campeonato Paulista and the National Championship.

In 1992, Rai was part of the Sao Paulo team that won the club's first ever Copa Libertadores, scoring the only goal of the final second-leg against Newell's Old Boys that took the match to a penalty shootout. Later that year, he was instrumental in the defeat of FC Barcelona in the 1992 Intercontinental Cup, netting both goals in a 2–1 win in Tokyo. This form saw Rai named South American Footballer of the Year for 1992.

In the 1993 season, Sao Paulo defended their Copa Libertadores title, with Rai again scoring in the final as CD Universidad Catolica were beaten 5–1 at the Estadio do Morumbi.

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