Brazilian defender Rafinha hangs up his boots at the age of 39

Manos Staramopoulos • 23 de julio de 2025

Brazilian full-back Rafinha, has decided to "hang up" his boots. Player with a very extensive football career.

Former Brazilian Rafinha in his stage with FC Bayern Múnich in 2017.

His retirement from active duty was announced on Monday night (21/7) by the former Brazilian international full-back, Marcio Rafael Ferreira de Souza, better known as Rafinha. Thus, the end of the career of the great Brazilian full-back Rafinha, who decided to "hang up" his boots.


At the age of 39 (born 7 Sep 1985), Rafinha will try something else in his life, but not far from football. The former 4-time international is in negotiations with various teams and may take on the position of technical or sports director.


The former Bayern and Olympiacos international defender, among others, said his own “goodbye” to football with a message, through social media and of course he also mentioned Piraeus, with whom he played in the first half of the 2020-21 season, making 22 appearances.


“Football gave me everything, took me to Germany, made me champion in the Champions League, the Copa Libertadores, the Brasileirão… It introduced me to wonderful people and allowed me to live what was always my biggest dream. I am grateful to Coritiba, who opened the doors for me at the beginning. To Leverkusen, who believed in a child from Brazil. To Bayern, who was my home for so many years and where I won everything in football. To Flamengo where I lived the top in my country. In São Paulo, the team of my heart, where I had the opportunity to win a title that the club had never won before. In Olympiacos and Gremio!.


To every teammate, coach, employee, fan… a big thank you. I keep with me memories, lessons, friendships and a story that I will tell forever with pride. Today a cycle closes as a footballer. But the love for football is eternal. A new chapter begins in my life: Outside the stadiums.

 

The teams Rafinha played for and honored are:



Season Left Joined Transfer Received money

24/25 08/04/2025 No team Retired €100k

-24/25 19/03/2025 Coritiba No team €150k Free-

24/25 01/01/2025 São Paulo Coritiba €150k Free

21/22 19/01/2022 Grêmio São Paulo €600k Free

20/21 29/03/2021 Olympiacos Grêmio €1.00m Free

20/21 24/08/2020 Flamengo Olympiacos €2.40m € Free

19/20 01/07/2019 Bayern Flamengo €3.00m Free

11/12 01/07/2011 Genoa Bayern €8.00m €5.50m

10/11 04/08/2010 Schalke Genoa €12.00m €8.00m

05/06 22/08/2005 Coritiba Schalke €4.50m €5.00m

01/02 01/01/2002 Londrina Coritiba Free



Manos Staramopoulos

Journalist and Analyst of International Football and Affairs

Chief Editor English Zone of Discoveryfootball.com

Athens (Greece)

   Post recientes


Florian Wirtz
Por Juan Carlos QB 19 de marzo de 2026
Florian Wirtz no ganó el MVP del juego entre el Liverpool y el Galatasaray, pero bien lo pudo haber conseguido. Firmó una actuación brillante a un muy alto nivel.
 Colombia
Por Discoveryfootball.com 19 de marzo de 2026
Los partidos entre Colombia y Venezuela se disputarán en la sede de la Federación Colombiana de Fútbol en la ciudad de Barranquilla. Colombia prepara la Conmebol.
Liverpool
Por Manos Staramopoulos 19 de marzo de 2026
The English team Liverpool thrashed Galatasaray and will face PSG in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Victory for 4-0 in Anfield with a great exhibition.
 Vinicius Jr.
Por Manos Staramopoulos 18 de marzo de 2026
The Brazilian player Vinicius Jr. scored the winning goals that sealed the tie against a Manchester City, unlucky. Victory 1-2 in Ettihad Stadium in a great match
El PSG
Por Juan Carlos QB 18 de marzo de 2026
El PSG aplastó al Chelsea en Stamford Bridge con un lapidario 0-3 que cerró una eliminatoria en la que fue superior. El 2-8 dejará víctimas en el cuadro "Blue".
Federico Valverde
Por Manos Staramopoulos 17 de marzo de 2026
Manchester City will be looking to overturn the 3-0 deficit from the first leg, in which Federico Valverde was the star player.
Joan Laporta
Por Manos Staramopoulos 16 de marzo de 2026
Joan Laporta has been re-elected as president of FC Barcelona with the best percentage of his career as club president. Laporta received 68.18% of the votes
Max Dowman
Por Manos Staramopoulos 14 de marzo de 2026
Max Dowman sealed the deal with an empty-netter against Everton in the 7th minute of injury time. Max makes Premier League history this evening against Everton.
Anthony Gordon
Por Juan Carlos QB 14 de marzo de 2026
El gol de Anthony Gordon fue letal para el Chelsea, a lo que se sumó el gran trabajo defensivo de los "magpies" que resistieron con uñas y dientes. Se complica