Muhammad Rafli
{{short description|Indonesian footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Muhammad Rafli
| fullname = Muhammad Rafli
| image =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|11|24|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/muhammad-rafli/2/|title=Muhammad Rafli: Profile |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |accessdate=10 November 2020}}
| birth_place = Malang, Indonesia
| height = 1.80 m
| currentclub = Arema
| clubnumber = 24
| position = Attacking midfielder, forward
| youthyears1 = 2006–2014
| youthclubs1 = ASIOP Apacinti
| youthyears2 = 2016
| youthclubs2 = Bhayangkara
| youthyears3 = 2016–2017
| youthclubs3 = ASIFA
| years1 = 2017– | clubs1 = Arema | caps1 = 139| goals1 = 9
| nationalyears1 = 2016
| nationalteam1 = Indonesia U19
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 2019–2021
| nationalteam2 = Indonesia U23
| nationalcaps2 = 10
| nationalgoals2 = 5
|nationalyears3 = 2021–2023
|nationalteam3 = Indonesia
|nationalcaps3 = 13
|nationalgoals3 = 0
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|Indonesia}}}}
{{Medal|Competition|Southeast Asian Games}}
{{MedalSilver | 2019 Philippines | Team}}
| pcupdate = 24 May 2025
| ntupdate =
}}
Muhammad Rafli (born 24 November 1998) is an Indonesian professional footballer who plays for Liga 1 club Arema. A versatile player, Rafli plays as a midfielder or forward, and has been deployed in a variety of attacking roles – as an attacking midfielder, second striker, centre forward and on either wings.
Rafli began to be known when he was selected in 2016 to attend the now-defunct Nike Academy, a program run by Nike Inc. for selected under-20 players scouted worldwide known as 'Nike Most Wanted' players. The only other Indonesian who participated in this academy was the national team's current playmaker Evan Dimas, in 2012.
Club career
= Early career =
He began to pursue soccer by entering the Aji Santoso International Football Academy (ASIFA) in his hometown of Malang. ASIFA, founded by former national team captain and coach Aji Santoso, is a feeder for Arema F.C. and other professional teams in East Java.
= Arema FC =
Rafli signed his first professional contract with Arema F.C. in January 2017. Rafli made his Arema debut on 23 April 2017 in a Liga 1 match against Bhayangkara in a 2–0 home win.{{cite web |url =
https://bolaskor.com/post/read/kisah-muhammad-rafli-dari-debut-hingga-bergelimang-prestasi-di-arema-fc
|title =Kisah Muhammad Rafli, dari Debut hingga Bergelimang Prestasi di Arema FC|publisher = bolaskor.com|accessdate = 23 April 2017|language=id}} He contributed with only 7 league appearances, without scoring during his 2017 season.
On 27 April 2018, he made his first start and played the full 90 minutes for the first time, in a 3–1 win against Persipura Jayapura.{{cite web |url =https://www.indosport.com/sepakbola/20180427/arema-fc-3-1-persipura-3-poin-perdana-tim-singo-edan/susunan-pemain-kedua-tim |title =Arema FC 3-1 Persipura Jayapura: 3 Poin Perdana Tim Singo Edan!|publisher = www.indosport.com|accessdate = 27 April 2018}} On 14 October, Rafli provided an assist for Ahmad Nur Hardianto in a 2–1 lose over PSM Makassar. However, Rafli also made a blunder against the host's winning goal scored by Guy Junior Ondoua.{{cite web |url =https://www.indosport.com/sepakbola/20181015/eks-timnas-u-19-komentari-kekalahan-arema-fc-dari-psm |title =Eks Gelandang Timnas U-19 Komentari Kekalahan Arema FC dari PSM Makassar|publisher = www.indosport.com|accessdate = 14 October 2018}} He contributed with only 19 league appearances, without scoring during his 2018 season. In December 2018, he signed a new deal with Arema for two-years contract.{{cite web |url =https://www.bolasport.com/read/311362709/tiga-pemain-arema-fc-ini-resmi-dapat-durasi-kontrak-jangka-panjang |title =Tiga Pemain Arema FC Ini Resmi Dapat Durasi Kontrak Jangka Panjang|publisher = www.bolasport.com|accessdate = 17 December 2018}}
On 18 February 2019, Rafli starting his match in 2019 season in the first leg of Arema'2018–19 Piala Indonesia round of 16 in a 1–1 draw against Persib Bandung. He also scored his first goal for Arema, scored in the 75th minutes.{{cite web|url=https://www.bolatimes.com/bolaindonesia/2019/02/18/180000/gol-muhammad-rafli-buyarkan-kemenangan-persib-bandung-di-piala-indonesia |title=Gol Muhammad Rafli Buyarkan Kemenangan Persib Bandung di Piala Indonesia|publisher=www.bolatimes.com|accessdate=18 February 2019|date=18 February 2019}} In the second leg in Malang four days later, Arema eventually draw the match 2–2, and were eliminated from the competition.{{cite web|url=https://sport.republika.co.id/berita/pnbw2h438/ditahan-persib-22-arema-gagal-ke-perempat-final |title=Ditahan Persib 2-2, Arema Gagal ke Perempat Final|publisher=Republika|accessdate=22 February 2019|date=22 February 2019}} Despite this, He won his second trophy with the club in April 2019, making first appearance for the first time until last appearances in the second leg of 2019 Indonesia President's Cup final against the rival Persebaya Surabaya. He scored his first Liga 1 goal on 2 October 2019. It was the first goal in a 0–2 victory against PSM Makassar.{{cite web |url =https://www.wearemania.net/arema-news/hasil-pertandingan-arema-fc-vs-psm-makassar-2-0/3295|title =Hasil Pertandingan Arema FC vs PSM Makassar: 2-0|publisher = wearemania.net|accessdate = 2 October 2019}} On 16 December 2019, he scored in a 3–2 win over Bali United.{{Cite news |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2019/12/16/indonesia/super-liga/arema-isl-rendra-kresna/persisam-putra-samarinda/3014865/ |title=AREMA VS. BALI UNITED 3 - 2|date=16 December 2019 |access-date=16 December 2019 |website=Soccerway}} He contributed with 17 league appearances with four times as a starting, scored 2 goals and 1 assist during his 2019 season.{{Cite news |url=https://bola.kompas.com/read/2019/12/27/07300088/muhammad-rafli-anggap-2019-sebagai-musim-terbaiknya?page=all |title=Muhammad Rafli Anggap 2019 sebagai Musim Terbaiknya|date=27 December 2019 |access-date=27 December 2019 |website=kompas.com}}
Prior to the start of the 2020 season, Rafli switched his shirt number from 30 to 10, last season, the number was worn by Malian foreign player Makan Konaté, who has now left for rival club Persebaya Surabaya.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bola.com/indonesia/read/4186774/alasan-m-rafli-berani-ambil-nomor-warisan-makan-konate-di-arema |title=Alasan M. Rafli Berani Ambil Nomor Warisan Makan Konate di Arema|date=24 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020 |website=www.bola.com}} On 2 March 2020, Rafli provided an assist for Kushedya Hari Yudo in a 0–2 away win over TIRA-Persikabo at the Pakansari Stadium.{{Cite news |url=https://sport.detik.com/sepakbola/liga-indonesia/d-4922582/tira-persikabo-vs-arema-fc-singo-edan-menang-2-0 |title=Tira Persikabo Vs Arema FC: Singo Edan Menang 2-0|date=2 March 2020 |access-date=2 March 2020 |website=detik.com}} Rafli only played 3 times and 1 assist for the club because the league was officially discontinued due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 3 October 2021, Rafli scored his first goal of the 2021–22 season, scoring from the free-kick in the 34th minute, final result, Arema win 3–0 over Persela Lamongan in the 2021–22 Liga 1.{{Cite news |url=https://ragamindonesia.pikiran-rakyat.com/bola/pr-1612725994/brace-carlos-fortes-dan-freekick-rafli-bawa-arema-fc-gilas-persela |title=Brace Carlos Fortes dan Freekick Rafli Bawa Arema FC Gilas Persela|date=3 October 2021 |access-date=3 October 2021 |website=Pikiran Rakyat}} On 23 October, he scored the opening goal with scoring from the free-kick in the 4th minute, final result, Arema win 2–0 over Persiraja Banda Aceh.{{Cite news |url=https://sport.detik.com/sepakbola/liga-indonesia/d-5779616/persiraja-vs-arema-singo-edan-menang-2-0 |title=Persiraja Vs Arema: Singo Edan Menang 2-0|date=23 October 2021 |access-date=23 October 2021 |website=Detik.com}} On 6 November, he scored in a Super East Java Derby against Persebaya Surabaya, final result, Arema draw 2–2.{{Cite news |url=https://bola.kompas.com/read/2021/11/06/22442388/hasil-arema-vs-persebaya-diwarnai-kartu-merah-derbi-jatim-berakhir-imbang-2-2?page=all |title=Hasil Arema Vs Persebaya: Diwarnai Kartu Merah, Derbi Jatim Berakhir Imbang 2-2|date=6 November 2021 |access-date=6 November 2021 |website=bola.kompas.com}} On 23 November 2021, he scored the winning goal in a 2–1 home win against PS Barito Putera and scored the opening goal in a 1–2 away win against the same opponent on 2 March 2022.{{Cite news |url=https://radarmalang.jawapos.com/olahraga/04/09/2022/cerita-apik-striker-arema-rafli-saat-lawan-barito-putera/ |title=Cerita Apik Striker Arema Rafli saat Lawan Barito Putera|date=4 September 2022 |access-date=4 September 2022 |website=radarmalang.jawapos.com}} Rafli finished the season with 5 goals, 1 assist in 27 games.{{Cite news |url=https://m.caping.co.id/news/detail/11778502 |title=Profil Muhammad Rafli, Striker Lokal Arema FC Berlabel Timnas yang Tengah Disorot, Cek Statistiknya|date=18 February 2023 |access-date=18 February 2023 |website=caping.co.id}}
International career
Rafli made his international debut for Indonesia U-19 on 14 September 2016 against Thailand U-19.[http://m.goal.com/s/id-ID/news/1387/nasional/2016/09/14/27513912/laporan-pertandingan-indonesia-u-19-2-3-thailand-u-19 Laporan Pertandingan: Indonesia U-19 2-3 Thailand U-19] and he scoring one goal against Laos on 18 September 2016.[http://m.goal.com/s/id-ID/news/1387/nasional/2016/09/18/27646482/laporan-pertandingan-laos-u-19-13-indonesia-u-19 Laporan Pertandingan: Laos U-19 1-3 Indonesia U-19] He made his international debut for Indonesia U-23 on 7 June 2019 against Thailand U-23 and scored three goals against Philippines U-23 on 9 June 2019, both at 2019 Merlion Cup. Rafli was part of the Indonesia team that won silver in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines. He received a call to join the senior Indonesia national football team in May 2021. He earned his first senior cap in a 25 May 2021 unofficial FIFA friendly match in Dubai against Afghanistan, in which he was also the team captain.{{cite web|url=https://www.kompas.id/baca/olahraga/2021/05/26/afghanistan-ungkap-kelemahan-indonesia-di-menit-krusial/|title=Afghanistan Ungkap Kelemahan Indonesia di Menit Krusial|website=www.kompas.id|accessdate=2021-05-26}}{{cite web|url=https://bola.tempo.co/read/1461987/resmi-ini-28-pemain-timnas-indonesia-untuk-kualifikasi-piala-dunia-2022|title=Resmi, Ini 28 Pemain Timnas Indonesia Untuk Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2022|website=bola.tempo.com}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 24 May 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/muhammad-rafli/480714/|title=Indonesia - M. Rafli- Profile with news, career statistics and history|website=Soccerway|accessdate=2018-11-12}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup{{efn|Includes Piala Indonesia}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other{{efn|Appearances in Indonesia President's Cup}} !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="8" valign="center"|Arema
|2017 |rowspan="1" valign="center"|Liga 1 |7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||
| 2018
|rowspan="1" valign="center"|Liga 1 |19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | 20 | 0 | ||
| 2019
|rowspan="1" valign="center"|Liga 1 |17 | 2 | 2 | 1 | colspan=2|— | 5 | 0 | 24 | 3 | ||
| 2020
|rowspan="1" valign="center"|Liga 1 |3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22
|rowspan="1" valign="center"|Liga 1 |27 | 5 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 27 | 5 | ||
| 2022–23
|rowspan="1" valign="center"|Liga 1 |21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 6 | 1 | 27 | 1 | ||
| 2023–24
|Liga 1 |26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | ||
| 2024–25
|Liga 1 |19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | 22 | 2 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!139 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 157 | 11 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 9 January 2023}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan=3|Indonesia
|2021 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total||13||0 |
International under-23 goals
| class="wikitable" | ||||||
| Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | rowspan=3 | 9 June 2019 | rowspan=3 | Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | rowspan=3 | {{fbu|23|PHI}} | 1–0 | rowspan=3 | 5–0 | rowspan=3 | 2019 Merlion Cup |
| 2. | 3–0 | |||||
| 3. | 4–0 | |||||
| 4. | 13 November 2019 | Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium, Gianyar, Indonesia | rowspan=2 | {{fbu|23|IRN}} | 1–0 | 1–1 | rowspan=2 | Friendly Match |
| 5. | 16 November 2019 | Pakansari Stadium, Bogor, Indonesia | 1–0 | 2–1 |
Honours
=Club=
Arema
- Indonesia President's Cup: 2017,{{cite web|url=https://www.bola.com/indonesia/read/2883881/arema-fc-juara-piala-presiden-2017|title=Arema FC Juara Piala Presiden 2017|website=www.bola.com|accessdate=12 March 2017|language=id}} 2019,{{cite web|url=https://bola.kompas.com/read/2019/04/12/22070058/final-piala-presiden-2019-kalahkan-persebaya-arema-juara?page=all|title=Final Piala Presiden 2019, Kalahkan Persebaya, Arema Juara|website=bola.kompas.com|accessdate=12 April 2019|language=id}} 2022,{{cite web|title=Piala Presiden 2022 : Kami Juaranya!|url=https://aremafc.com/news/piala-presiden-2022-kami-juaranya|website=Arema FC|accessdate=17 July 2022|language=id}} 2024{{cite web|title=Arema FC Juara Piala Presiden 2024|url=https://www.pssi.org/news/arema-fc-juara-piala-presiden-2024|website=PSSI|accessdate=4 August 2024|language=id}}
= International =
;Indonesia U23
=Individual=
- Merlion Cup Top Goalscorer: 2019 (3 goals)
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|muhammad-rafli/480714}}
- [https://ligaindonesiabaru.com/clubs/singleplayer/LIGA_1_2020/muhammad_rafli Muhammad Rafli] at Liga Indonesia
- {{NFT player|82623}}
{{Arema Malang squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rafli, Muhammad}}
Category:Indonesian men's footballers
Category:Footballers from Malang
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Liga 1 (Indonesia) players
Category:Footballers from East Java
Category:Indonesia men's youth international footballers
Category:Indonesia men's international footballers
Category:Competitors at the 2019 SEA Games
Category:SEA Games silver medalists for Indonesia
Category:SEA Games medalists in football