Former international defender of Brazil Rafinha has announced his retirement of professional football and has ended a career that included more than 20 years.
Rafinha, the former international defender of Brazil, has formally declared his retirement from professional football and has closed a remarkable career that lasted more than two decades.
The 39-year-old had been uncertain about his future after leaving the Brazilian series B-team Coritiba in March.
“Today I officially announce my retirement as a professional football player,” said Rafinha during an interview with SportV. “This trip has been incredible and I never expected to reach this point in my life.
“It is with a heavy heart that I close a chapter that has been my life's work. However, every journey is a start and an end, and I have no regrets. I have achieved everything I wanted to achieve in football,” he said.
Rafinha started his career in Coritiba in 2002 and then moved from 2005 to 2010 to the German Schalke. The right back then had Stints with Genoa (2010-2011), Bayern Munich and Flamengo, before returning to Coritiba last year. He earned four caps for the Brazilian national team.
During his time in Bayern, Rafinha made a total of 266 competitive performances, in which seven Bundesliga titles, four DFB cups were obtained, and an essential part of the Treble-Winning team in 2013.
Sao Paulo, his club, paid tribute to their departing captain and acknowledged his important contributions in terms of both trophies and leadership.
“Our captain in the victories of the 2023 Copa do Brasil and the 2024 Supercopa Rei, Marcio Rafael Ferreira de Souza, announced his retirement from the field on July 21, 2025.
“A devoted Sao Paulo fan, Rafinha fulfilled his dream to represent the Tricolor from 2022 to 2024, with pride with our sweater in 117 games. Congratulations on your incredible journey in football and the best wishes for your future efforts!”