Zé Rafael

Coritiba

Born in Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Zé Rafael joined Coritiba's youth setup in 2009, aged 16, as an attacking midfielder. He made his first team debut on 29 April 2012, coming on as a half-time substitute for Rafael Silva in a 3–1 Campeonato Paranaense away win against Roma. Zé Rafael was definitely promoted to the first team ahead of the 2013 season, and made his Série A debut on 11 August of that year by replacing Lincoln in a 1–0 loss at Vasco da Gama. On 12 February 2014, after appearing sparingly, he was loaned to Novo Hamburgo until the end of the 2014 Campeonato Gaúcho. Zé Rafael scored his first senior goal on 27 February 2014, netting the first in a 2–1 home win against Passo Fundo. Upon returning, he only featured rarely before joining Londrina on loan on 5 May 2015, with Paulinho moving in the opposite direction. Zé Rafael became a regular starter at the Tubarão, helping in their promotion to Série B with two goals. He subsequently returned to Coxa, but after failing to make an appearance, he requested to leave and returned to Londrina on 11 February 2016, on loan until December. Zé Rafael was an undisputed starter during the second division, scoring four goals in 32 appearances as his side finished sixth, three points away from another promotion; highlights included a brace in a 2–1 away win against Vila Nova.

Bahia

On 6 January 2017, Zé Rafael signed a three-year deal with Bahia, in the first division. He immediately became a starter for…

As of 4 May 2026

Club

Coritiba Campeonato Paranaense: 2012, 2013 Bahia Copa do Nordeste: 2017 Campeonato Baiano: 2018 Palmeiras Campeonato Paulista: 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 Copa do Brasil: 2020 Copa Libertadores: 2020, 2021 Recopa Sudamericana: 2022 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2022, 2023 Supercopa do Brasil: 2023 FIFA Club World Cup Runner Up: 2021

Individual

Bola de Prata: 2022 Best Central Midfielder in Brazil: 2022 Campeonato Paulista Team of the Year: 2023