Login
Login

Rafa Mir

{{short description|Spanish footballer (born 1997)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}

{{family name hatnote|Mir|Vicente|lang=Spanish}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Rafa Mir

| image =

| caption =

| image_size =

| full_name = Rafael Mir Vicente{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/image/201920/general-news/efl-squad-numbering-06.09.2019.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Nottingham Forest |publisher=English Football League |page=49 |access-date=24 October 2019}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|6|18|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Cartagena, Spain

| height = 1.91 m{{cite web |url=https://sevillafc.es/equipos/primer-equipo/rafa-mir |title=Rafa Mir |publisher=Sevilla FC |access-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716164100/https://sevillafc.es/equipos/primer-equipo/rafa-mir |archive-date=16 July 2022}}

| position = Striker

| currentclub = Valencia
(on loan from Sevilla)

| clubnumber = 11

| youthyears1 = 2004–2006

| youthclubs1 = Javalí Nuevo

| youthyears2 = 2006–2007

| youthclubs2 = ElPozo Murcia

| youthyears3 = 2007–2009

| youthclubs3 = Ranero

| youthyears4 = 2009–2011

| youthclubs4 = Barcelona

| youthyears5 = 2011–2012

| youthclubs5 = Murcia

| youthyears6 = 2012–2015

| youthclubs6 = Valencia

| years1 = 2015–2018

| clubs1 = Valencia B

| caps1 = 60

| goals1 = 25

| years2 = 2015–2018

| clubs2 = Valencia

| caps2 = 2

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2018–2021

| clubs3 = Wolverhampton Wanderers

| caps3 = 2

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2018–2019

| clubs4 = → Las Palmas (loan)

| caps4 = 30

| goals4 = 7

| years5 = 2019–2020

| clubs5 = → Nottingham Forest (loan)

| caps5 = 11

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2020–2021

| clubs6 = → Huesca (loan)

| caps6 = 56

| goals6 = 22

| years7 = 2021–

| clubs7 = Sevilla

| caps7 = 75

| goals7 = 18

| years8 = 2024–

| clubs8 = → Valencia (loan)

| caps8 = 20

| goals8 = 1

| nationalyears1 = 2018–2019

| nationalteam1 = Spain U21

| nationalcaps1 = 10

| nationalgoals1 = 5

| nationalyears2 = 2021

| nationalteam2 = Spain U23

| nationalcaps2 = 7

| nationalgoals2 = 3

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalSport|Men's football}}

{{MedalCountry|{{fbu|21|ESP}}}}

{{MedalCompetition|UEFA European Under-21 Championship}}

{{Medal|W|2019 Italy|Team}}

{{MedalCompetition|Summer Olympics|Team}}

{{MedalSilver|2020 Tokyo|Team}}

| club-update = 27 May 2025

| ntupdate =

}}

Rafael Mir Vicente, known as Rafa Mir, (born 18 June 1997) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a striker for La Liga club Valencia, on loan from Sevilla.

Formed at Valencia where he was primarily a reserve, he also represented Huesca and Sevilla in La Liga. Abroad, he played in England's Championship for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest.

Mir won the 2019 European Championship with the Spain national under-21 football team, and a silver medal with the Olympic team at the 2020 tournament.

Club career

=Early career=

Born in Murcia, Mir began his career playing futsal with CD Javalí Nuevo. After a 120-goal spell at ElPozo Murcia FS he began playing full football with Ranero CF, scoring 57 and 84 goals in his respective seasons before joining FC Barcelona.

=Valencia=

Mir's 32 goals at La Masia earned him a return to his native region and Real Murcia, where a 45-goal haul led to the attention of Valencia CF. He made his senior debut for the reserves on 1 March 2015, as an 88th-minute substitute for Wilfried Zahibo in a 2–1 Segunda División B loss at CE L'Hospitalet.

Mir scored his first senior goal on 7 March 2015, netting the last in a 2–0 win over CF Badalona at the Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna.{{cite news|title=El Mestalla sufre pero se impone|trans-title=Mestalla suffer but impose themselves|url=http://www.levante-emv.com/deportes/2015/03/09/mestalla-sufre-impone/1236033.html|access-date=24 November 2015|publisher=Levante EMV|date=9 March 2015|language=Spanish}} He finished the campaign with four appearances, as his side narrowly avoided relegation.

The following season, in the UEFA Youth League, Mir scored consecutive braces in victories over Gent.{{cite news|title=Perfect Arsenal forge on in Youth League|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefayouthleague/news/0253-0d044e173883-d27a8d1f78d4-1000--perfect-arsenal-forge-on-in-youth-league/|access-date=24 November 2015|publisher=UEFA|date=20 October 2015}}{{cite news|title=Holders Chelsea assured of top-two finish|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefayouthleague/news/0253-0d044fe87a47-44996846c113-1000--holders-chelsea-assured-of-top-two-finish/|access-date=24 November 2015|publisher=UEFA|date=4 November 2015}} On 14 November 2015, he was given his first start for the B-side, playing the full 90 minutes in a 4–2 loss at another reserve team, Villarreal CF B.{{cite news|title=El Valencia Mestalla naufraga ante el Villarreal B|trans-title=Valencia Mestalla sink against Villarreal B|url=http://www.superdeporte.es/valencia/2015/11/14/sigue--villarreal-b-/276272.html|access-date=24 November 2015|publisher=Super Deporte|date=14 November 2015|language=Spanish}}

On 24 November 2015, Mir was called up to the main squad by manager Nuno Espírito Santo for a La Liga game against UD Las Palmas;{{cite news|last1=Gimeno|first1=Manu|title=Nuno se lleva a Rafa Mir y recupera a pesos pesados|trans-title=Nuno brings in Rafa Mir and regains heavyweights|url=http://valencia.eldesmarque.com/valencia-cf/noticias/8576-convocatoria-valencia-las-palmas-nuno-se-lleva-a-rafa-mir|access-date=24 November 2015|publisher=El Desmarque|date=20 November 2015|language=Spanish}} he was an unused substitute in the 1–1 draw at the Mestalla Stadium.{{cite news|title=Viera gets the point for Las Palmas as Valencia are left frustrated|url=http://www.espnfc.co.uk/spanish-primera-division/match/433862/valencia-las-palmas/report|access-date=24 November 2015|publisher=ESPN|date=21 November 2015}} He made his professional debut on 25 November, starting in a UEFA Champions League group stage match away to Zenit Saint Petersburg,{{cite news|last1=Rocha Rodrigues|first1=Luís|last2=Sousa|first2=Vasco|title=Para sacudir a crise, Nuno estreia Rafa Mir, de 18 anos|trans-title=To end the crisis, Nuno fives a debut to Rafa Mir, 18|url=http://www.zerozero.pt/news.php?id=165227|access-date=24 November 2015|publisher=ZeroZero|date=24 November 2015|language=Portuguese}} being substituted for Santi Mina in the 56th minute of an eventual 2–0 defeat.{{cite news|title=Zenit stay perfect at Valencia's expense|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0227-0e92963d31ad-4f463780e8f9-1000--zenit-stay-perfect-at-valencia-s-expense/|access-date=24 November 2015|publisher=UEFA|date=24 November 2015}}

Mir made his top-flight debut against Las Palmas on 28 August 2016, replacing Enzo Pérez for the final four minutes of a 4–2 home loss.{{cite news|title=El Las Palmas desnuda al Valencia|trans-title=Las Palmas expose Valencia|url=http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/deportes/las-palmas-desnuda-valencia-5339074|access-date=19 September 2016|publisher=El Periódico|date=23 August 2016|language=Spanish}} On 24 April 2017, he was hit by a car, but it did not negatively affect his career.{{Cite web |date=2017-04-24 |title=Atropellan a Rafa Mir en un paso de cebra |url=https://www.superdeporte.es/valencia-cf/2017/04/24/atropellan-rafa-mir-paso-cebra-53417525.html |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Superdeporte |language=es}}

Mir again spent the 2017–18 preseason with the first team of Marcelino García Toral, but with only one year left on his contract and not accepting the renewal offer proposed by the club,[http://www.superdeporte.es/valencia/2017/08/16/rafa-mir-renovacion-filial/345067.html Rafa Mir bajó al Valencia Mestalla por no haber renovado]{{Cite web |date=2015-12-08 |title=La semana loca de Rafa Mir |url=https://www.marca.com/2015/12/08/futbol/equipos/valencia/1449573202.html |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=MARCA.com |language=es}} a way out began to be sought for the player, who had also received important offers.{{Cite web|title=MERCADO {{!}} El Real Madrid quiere a Rafa Mir |url=https://plazadeportiva.valenciaplaza.com/el-real-madrid-quiere-a-rafa-mir |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Plaza Deportiva |language=es}} The doors of the first team were completely closed to him.{{Cite web |last=Alberola |first=Andreu |date=2017-10-26 |title=Marcelino zanja una vez más el caso Rafa Mir |url=https://www.superdeporte.es/valencia-cf/2017/10/26/marcelino-zanja-vez-caso-rafa-53386264.html |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Superdeporte |language=es}} He began the first half of the 2017–18 season for Valencia B in good form, scoring 15 goals in 19 games, attracting interest from Real Madrid and Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11699/11194410/wolves-close-to-signing-rafa-mir-from-valencia|title=Wolves close to signing Rafa Mir from Valencia|publisher=Sky Sports|date=3 January 2018}}

=Wolverhampton Wanderers=

On 3 January 2018, Mir joined Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract with the club and taking the number 9 shirt. He linked up with former Valencia boss Nuno Espírito Santo, who gave him his first team debut at the club.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/first-team/20180103-welcome-rafa/|title=Welcome Rafa|publisher=Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|date=3 January 2018}} He made his debut three days later in the FA Cup third round at home to Swansea City, playing the last 13 minutes of a goalless draw in place of Léo Bonatini.{{cite news |last1=Dicken |first1=Alex |title=Rafa Mir scouting report: How the Wolves new boy's brief but eventful debut unfolded |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/rafa-mir-scouting-report-how-14122183 |access-date=2 February 2021 |work=Birmingham Mail |date=10 January 2018}}

On 23 July 2018, Mir joined Segunda División side UD Las Palmas on loan for one season.{{cite web|url=https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/first-team/20180723-mir-departs-molineux-on-loan/|title=Mir Departs Molineux On Loan|publisher=Wolverhampton Wanderers FC|date=23 July 2018|access-date=23 July 2018}} A year later, he returned to the Championship, on loan to Nottingham Forest.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49162423 | title=Rafa Mir: Nottingham Forest sign Wolves striker on season-long loan | publisher=BBC | date=30 July 2019 | access-date=30 July 2019}} After struggling for both minutes and goals with Forest, Mir and Forest agreed for him to return to his parent club on 14 January 2020.{{cite news |last1=Clapson |first1=Sarah |title=Breaking: Flop leaves Nottingham Forest as loan spell is terminated |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/rafa-mir-wolves-nottingham-forest-3739679 |access-date=2 February 2021 |work=Nottingham Post |date=14 January 2020}}

Immediately following his departure from Nottingham, Mir was loaned to Segunda División side SD Huesca for 18 months.{{cite news |last1=Puyuelo |first1=Jorge |title=Rafa Mir será el '9' del Huesca|trans-title=Rafa Mir will be Huesca's '9'|url=https://as.com/futbol/2020/08/24/primera/1598279896_583372.html |access-date=2 February 2021 |work=Diario AS |date=24 August 2020 |language=Spanish}} He was sent off on 8 February 2020 in a 1–0 loss at Girona FC for elbowing Álex Granell and banned for one match.{{cite news |last1=Ralla |first1=Emilio |title=La sanción a Rafa Mir se queda en un partido |trans-title=Rafa Mir's punishment stays at one match|url=https://www.heraldo.es/noticias/deportes/futbol/sd-huesca/2020/02/12/un-partido-de-sancion-para-rafa-mir-1358434.html |access-date=2 February 2021 |work=Heraldo de Aragón |date=12 February 2020 |language=Spanish}} On 17 July, he scored twice in a 3–0 home win over CD Numancia to win promotion to the top flight with a game remaining.{{cite news |last1=Delgado |first1=José Domingo |title=Rafa Mir lleva a la SD Huesca a Primera y hunde al Numancia|trans-title=Rafa Mir takes SD Huesca to Primera and sinks Numancia |url=https://es.besoccer.com/noticia/rafa-mir-lleva-a-la-sd-huesca-a-primera-y-hunde-al-numancia-861218 |access-date=2 February 2021 |publisher=Be Soccer |date=17 July 2020 |language=Spanish}}

On 15 December 2020, Mir scored a hat-trick in a 3–2 extra-time win over CD Marchamalo in the first round of the Copa del Rey.{{cite news |last1=Añover Ortiz |first1=Antonio |title=CD Marchamalo 2-3 SD Huesca: Rafa Mir evita la sorpresa del Marchamalo |trans-title=CD Marchamalo 2-3 SD Huesca: Rafa Mir avoids Marchamalo surprise |url=https://www.grada3.com/2020/12/15/rafa-mir-evita-la-sorpresa-del-marchamalo/ |access-date=22 October 2021 |publisher=Grada 3 |date=15 December 2020 |language=Spanish}} The following 29 January, he netted another treble in a 3–1 victory at Real Valladolid.{{cite news |title=Rafa Mir Shines With Hat Trick To Give Huesca Win Over Valladolid |url=https://www.beinsports.com/us/copa-libertadores/video/rafa-mir-shines-with-hat-trick-to-give-huesca/1627646 |access-date=2 February 2021 |publisher=beIN Sports |date=29 January 2021}} He ended the league season with 13 goals, joint eighth-best.{{cite news |title=Por quinto año, Messi se corona como el goleador liguero|trans-title=For fifth year, Messi is crowned league top scorer|url=https://www.elnuevosiglo.com.co/articulos/05-23-2021-por-quinto-ano-messi-se-corona-como-el-goleador-liguero |access-date=22 October 2021 |work=El Nuevo Siglo |date=28 May 2021 |language=Spanish}}

=Sevilla=

On 20 August 2021, Mir signed a six-year contract with Sevilla for a fee potentially rising to €16 million.{{cite news |title=Oficial: Rafa Mir, nuevo jugador del Sevilla|trans-title=Official: Rafa Mir, new Sevilla player |url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/sevilla/2021/08/20/611f61db46163f0d208b4629.html |access-date=30 September 2023 |work=Marca |date=20 August 2021 |language=Spanish}} On 23 November 2021, he scored his first Champions League goal in the 97th minute of a 2–0 victory over VfL Wolfsburg.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2032677/ |title=Sevilla 2–0 Wolfsburg |website=UEFA |date=23 November 2021 }}

Mir was approached by Valencia to return on loan for a €5 million fee in July 2023, with the club also taking on his €2 million salary and Sevilla's €3 million conditional payment to Wolverhampton.{{cite news |title=El Sevilla pide cinco millones para dejar salir a Rafa Mir|trans-title=Sevilla ask for five million to let Rafa Mir go |url=https://www.lasprovincias.es/valenciacf/sevilla-valencia-rafa-mir-20230719175510-nt.html?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F |access-date=30 September 2023 |work=Las Provincias |date=19 July 2023 |language=Spanish}} The move collapsed for financial reasons, and a late approach by A.C. Milan for a loan with obligatory purchase was rejected due to a lack of remaining forwards at Sevilla.{{cite news |last1=Florido |first1=E. |title=El Sevilla rechaza la oferta del Milan por Rafa Mir, negociación rota|trans-title=Sevilla reject Milan's offer for Rafa Mir, negotiations broken down|url=https://www.diariodesevilla.es/sevillafc/Milan-Rafa-Mir-negociacion-Sevilla-cesion_0_1825918507.html |access-date=30 September 2023 |work=Diario de Sevilla |date=1 September 2023 |language=Spanish}}

On 11 July 2024, Mir returned to boyhood club Valencia on loan, with a buyout clause of €5 million.{{cite web|url=https://sevillafc.es/en/actual/news/rafa-mir-loan-valencia-cf|title=Agreement with Valencia CF for the loan of Rafa Mir|publisher=Sevilla FC|date=11 July 2024|accessdate=12 July 2024}}

International career

On 29 June 2021, Mir was named in the 22-man squad for the 2020 Summer Olympics by manager Luis de la Fuente.{{cite web|title=Spain Names Six From Euro Squad to Olympic Roster|url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2021/06/29/spain-olympics-squad-euro-2020-pedri-dani-olmo|access-date=2021-07-01|website=Sports Illustrated}} On 31 July, he scored an injury-time equaliser against the Ivory Coast to take their quarter-final to extra-time, in which he added two further goals to complete a hat-trick as Spain won 5–2.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12368861/olympics-rafa-mir-scores-hat-trick-as-spain-overpower-ivory-coast-in-extra-time-to-reach-semi-finals|title=Rafa Mir scores hat-trick as Spain overpower Ivory Coast in extra time to reach semi-finals|website=Sky Sports|date=31 July 2021|access-date=2 August 2021}}

Personal life

Mir, who idolised German forward Mario Gómez, is the son of former defender Magín Mir, whose clubs included RCD Mallorca and Murcia.{{cite news|title=Rafa Mir, el ´gigante´ de los mil goles del Valencia CF|trans-title=Rafa Mir, Valencia CF's 1000-goal 'giant'|url=http://www.superdeporte.es/valencia/2015/11/10/rafa-mir-gigante-mil-goles/275802.html|access-date=24 November 2015|publisher=Super Deporte|date=11 November 2015|language=Spanish}}

On 3 September 2024, Mir was arrested by police on suspicion of sexual assault.{{cite news |title=Mir arrested on suspicion of alleged sexual assault |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cx2n4m1ldxro |access-date=4 September 2024 |work=BBC |date=3 September 2024}}

Career statistics

{{updated|match played 11 April 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/rafael-mir-vicente/398451/|title=Rafa Mir|website=Soccerway|access-date=3 January 2018}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

!rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Copa del Rey, FA Cup}}

!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup}}

!colspan="2"|Europe

!colspan="2"|Other

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan="5"|Valencia B

|2014–15

|Segunda División B

|4

1colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—41
2015–16

|Segunda División B

|2

0colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—20
2016–17

|Segunda División B

|35

9colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—359
2017–18

|Segunda División B

|19

15colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—1915
colspan="2"|Total

!60

25000000006025
rowspan="3"|Valencia

|2015–16

|La Liga

|0

010colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—10
2016–17

|La Liga

|2

030colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—50
colspan="2"|Total

!2

04000000060
rowspan="3"|Wolverhampton Wanderers

|2017–18

|Championship

|2

020colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—40
2018–19

|Premier League

|0

00000colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—00
colspan="2"|Total

!2

02000000040
Las Palmas (loan)

|2018–19

|Segunda División

|30

700colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—307
Nottingham Forest (loan)

|2019–20

|Championship

|11

00020colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—130
rowspan="3"|Huesca (loan)

|2019–20

|Segunda División

|18

900colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—189
2020–21

|La Liga

|38

1313colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—3916
colspan="2"|Total

!56

22130000005725
rowspan="4"|Sevilla

|2021–22

|La Liga

|34

1042colspan="2"|—9{{efn|Six appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, three appearances in UEFA Europa League}}1colspan="2"|—4713
2022–23

|La Liga

|26

641colspan="2"|—6{{efn|Three appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, three appearances in UEFA Europa League}}1colspan="2"|—368
2023–24

|La Liga

|15

241colspan="2"|—2{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}}01{{efn|Appearance in UEFA Super Cup}}0223
colspan="2"|Total

!75

18124001721010524
Valencia (loan)

|2024–25

|La Liga

|13

021colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—151
colspan="3"|Career total

!249

72218201721029082

{{notelist}}

Honours

Huesca

Sevilla

  • UEFA Europa League: 2022–23{{Cite news |last=Lowe |first=Sid |date=31 May 2023 |title=Montiel edges Sevilla to seventh Europa League triumph with win over Roma |language= |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/31/sevilla-roma-europa-league-final-match-report |access-date=31 May 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}

Spain U21

Spain U23

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • [https://www.sevillafc.es/en/teams/first-team/rafa-mir Profile] at the Sevilla FC website
  • {{Soccerbase}}
  • {{BDFutbol}}
  • {{Soccerway}}

{{Valencia CF squad}}

{{Spain men's football squad 2020 Summer Olympics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mir, Rafa}}

Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Cartagena, Spain

Category:Spanish men's footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:La Liga players

Category:Segunda División players

Category:Segunda División B players

Category:Valencia CF Mestalla footballers

Category:Valencia CF players

Category:UD Las Palmas players

Category:SD Huesca footballers

Category:Sevilla FC players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. players

Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. players

Category:Spain men's under-21 international footballers

Category:Spanish expatriate men's footballers

Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:Olympic footballers for Spain

Category:Footballers at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Category:Olympic medalists in football

Category:Olympic silver medalists for Spain

Category:Medalists at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Category:UEFA Europa League–winning players

Category:21st-century Spanish sportsmen