Rafael Bracali
{{short description|Brazilian footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Rafael Bracali
| image =
| fullname = Rafael Wihby Bracali{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/jogador/rafael-bracali/18564|title=Rafael Bracali|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=pt|access-date=7 March 2021}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|5|5|df=y}}
| birth_place = Santos, Brazil
| height = {{convert|1.84|m|abbr=on}}
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Paulista
| years1 = 2001–2006 | clubs1 = Paulista | caps1 = 38 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2005 | clubs2 = → Juventude (loan) | caps2 = 8 | goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2006–2011 | clubs3 = Nacional | caps3 = 104 | goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2011–2013 | clubs4 = Porto | caps4 = 1 | goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2012–2013 | clubs5 = → Olhanense (loan) | caps5 = 25 | goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2013–2015 | clubs6 = Panetolikos | caps6 = 57 | goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2015–2018 | clubs7 = Arouca | caps7 = 89 | goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2018–2023 | clubs8 = Boavista | caps8 = 80 | goals8 = 0
| totalcaps = 402 | totalgoals = 0
| club-update =
}}
Rafael Wihby Bracali (born 5 May 1981) is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He also held Italian citizenship.
Club career
Born in Santos, São Paulo, Bracali started playing professionally for local Paulista Futebol Clube.{{cite web|url=https://jundiai.sp.gov.br/noticias/2014/05/30/rafael-bracali-e-o-entrevistado-do-camisa-10-da-tve/|title=Rafael Bracali é o entrevistado do Camisa 10 da TVE|trans-title=Rafael Bracali is the interviewed on TVE's Camisa 10|publisher=Prefeitura de Jundiaí|language=pt|date=30 May 2014|access-date=7 March 2021}} In 2006, he moved to Portugal and signed with C.D. Nacional in Madeira. After backing up Diego Benaglio in his first season and appearing in 14 Primeira Liga games in the second, he became first choice after the Swiss transferred to VfL Wolfsburg.{{cite news|url=https://www.publico.pt/2008/02/26/jornal/brasileiro-substituiu-benaglio-na-baliza-do-nacional-250657|title=Brasileiro substituiu Benaglio na baliza do Nacional|trans-title=Brazilian replaced Benaglio in the goal of Nacional|newspaper=Público|language=pt|date=26 February 2008|access-date=1 February 2022}}
Bracali did not miss one single league match from 2008 to 2011.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/detalhe/bracalli-e-o-guarda-redes-com-mais-defesas?act=0&est=Aberto|title=Bracalli é o guarda-redes com mais defesas|trans-title=Bracalli is the goalkeeper with most saves|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=28 October 2009|access-date=7 March 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/primeira-liga/artigos/bracali-e-o-guarda-redes-mais-interventivo|title=Bracali é o guarda-redes mais "interventivo"|trans-title=Bracali is the "safest" goalkeeper|publisher=SAPO|language=pt|date=3 May 2010|access-date=8 March 2021}} He was set to sign for fellow top-division side S.C. Braga in June 2011, but the deal eventually fell through.{{cite news|url=http://www.abola.pt/nnh/ver.aspx?id=267188|title=Diego é hipótese para a baliza|trans-title=Diego an option for goal|newspaper=A Bola|language=pt|date=4 June 2011|access-date=4 June 2011}}
In August 2011, Bracali replaced the departed Beto as understudy at FC Porto, behind his compatriot Helton. He made his only league appearance for the Dragons on 12 May 2012 in the last game of a victorious campaign, a 5–2 win at Rio Ave F.C. in which he was substituted late on for fellow debutant Kadú.{{cite news|url=https://www.publico.pt/2012/05/12/desporto/noticia/hattrick-de-kleber-na-goleada-do-campeao-em-vila-do-conde-1545802#gs.hvxk22Jk|title=Goleada em Vila do Conde antes da consagração na Avenida dos Aliados|trans-title=Rout in Vila do Conde before victory parade on the Avenida dos Aliados|newspaper=Público|first=David|last=Andrade|language=pt|date=12 May 2012|access-date=4 March 2019}} He was then loaned to S.C. Olhanense where he played more frequently, and the team avoided relegation by one point.{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/amp/f-c-porto-apos-emprestimos-nove-casos-por-resolver|title=F.C. Porto: após empréstimos, nove casos por resolver|trans-title=F.C. Porto: after loans, nine cases to resolve|publisher=Mais Futebol|first=Vítor Hugo|last=Alvarenga|language=pt|date=16 June 2013|access-date=9 November 2020}}
On 13 July 2015, after two years in the Super League Greece with Panetolikos FC, Bracali agreed a two-year deal with F.C. Arouca.{{cite web|url=http://www.rtp.pt/noticias/futebol-nacional/rafael-bracalli-reforca-arouca_d844339|title=Rafael Bracalli reforça Arouca|trans-title=Rafael Bracalli strengthens Arouca|publisher=Rádio e Televisão de Portugal|language=pt|date=13 July 2015|access-date=13 July 2015}} A year after the club's relegation, on 29 June 2018 he returned to the top flight and the city of Porto by signing for Boavista F.C. on a two-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/liga/arouca/oficial-rafael-bracali-reforca-boavista|title=OFICIAL: Rafael Bracali reforça Boavista|trans-title=OFFICIAL: Rafael Bracali bolsters Boavista|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=pt|date=29 June 2018|access-date=4 March 2019}}
Bracali agreed to an extension at the Estádio do Bessa until 30 June 2021 in August 2019, aged 38.{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/boavista/noticias/rafael-bracali-no-boavista-ate-aos-40-anos-11196737.html|title=Guarda-redes Rafael Bracali no Boavista até aos 40 anos|trans-title=Goalkeeper Rafael Bracali in Boavista until the age of 40|newspaper=O Jogo|first=Mónica|last=Santos|language=pt|date=9 August 2019|access-date=18 February 2020}} He played second-fiddle to Léo Jardim in 2020–21,{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/boavista/noticias/a-nova-vida-de-leo-jardim-um-dos-destaques-do-boavista-13385264.html|title=A nova vida de Léo Jardim, um dos destaques do Boavista|trans-title=The new life of Léo Jardim, one of Boavista's highlights|newspaper=O Jogo|first=Cristina|last=Aguiar|language=pt|date=24 February 2021|access-date=4 May 2023}} but was again a starter afterwards.{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/boavista/noticias/bracali-continua-a-jogar-com-41-anos-desde-os-35-que-me-preparo-para-deixar-15012612.html|title=Bracali continua a jogar com 41 anos: "Desde os 35 que me preparo para deixar..."|trans-title=Bracali still plays at 41: "Ever since I'm 35 I have been preparing myself to quit..."|newspaper=O Jogo|language=pt|date=12 July 2022|access-date=4 May 2023}}
In May 2023, Bracali announced his retirement from professional football.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-betclic/boavista/detalhe/bracali-confirma-final-da-carreira-chegou-o-momento-de-parar|title=Bracali confirma final da carreira: "Chegou o momento de parar"|trans-title=Bracali confirms end of career: "The time to stop has arrived"|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=18 May 2023|access-date=12 July 2023}} In July, he replaced Fary Faye as his last club's sporting director.{{cite news|url=https://observador.pt/2023/07/12/ex-futebolista-rafael-bracali-assume-cargo-de-diretor-desportivo-do-boavista/|title=Ex-futebolista Rafael Bracali assume cargo de diretor desportivo do Boavista|trans-title=Former footballer Rafael Bracali takes over as Boavista's sporting director|newspaper=Observador|language=pt|date=12 July 2023|access-date=23 October 2023}}
Personal life
Bracali's father, Armando, was also a footballer and a goalkeeper. After notably representing Clube Atlético Juventus in the 1970s, he worked mainly as a goalkeeping coach at Paulista.{{cite web|url=https://terceirotempo.uol.com.br/que-fim-levou/bracali-2484|title=Bracali – Que fim levou?|trans-title=Bracali – What happened to him?|publisher=Terceiro Tempo|first=Marcelo|last=Rozenberg|language=pt|access-date=7 March 2021}}
Career statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition{{Soccerway|rafael-wihby-bracalli/17116}} ! rowspan="2" |Club ! rowspan="2" |Season ! colspan="3" |League ! colspan="2" |State league ! colspan="2" |National cup ! colspan="2" |League cup ! colspan="2" |Continental ! colspan="2" |Total |
| Division
!Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals |
|---|
| rowspan="4" |Paulista
|2004 |0 |0 |2Appearances in Campeonato Paulista |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |2 |0 |
| 2005
|Série B |20 |0 |0 |12 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |36 |0 |
| 2006
|Série B |10 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |6Appearances in Copa Libertadores |0 |18 |0 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!30 !0 !8 !0 !12 !0 ! colspan="2" |— !6 !0 !56 !0 |
| Juventude (loan)
|2005 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |
| rowspan="6" |Nacional
|0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |3 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |3 |0 |
| 2007–08
|Primeira Liga |14 |0 | colspan="2" |— |2 |0 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |17 |0 |
| 2008–09
|Primeira Liga |30 |0 | colspan="2" |— |5 |0 |5 |0 | colspan="2" |— |40 |0 |
| 2009–10
|Primeira Liga |30 |0 | colspan="2" |— |3 |0 |3 |0 |8Appearances in UEFA Europa League |0 |44 |0 |
| 2010–11
|Primeira Liga |30 |0 | colspan="2" |— |1 |0 |4 |0 | colspan="2" |— |35 |0 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!104 !0 ! colspan="2" |— !14 !0 !13 !0 !8 !0 !139 !0 |
| Porto
|Primeira Liga |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |2 |0 |4 |0 |0 |0 |7 |0 |
| Olhanense (loan)
|Primeira Liga |25 |0 | colspan="2" |— |1 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |26 |0 |
| rowspan="3" |Panetolikos
|32 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |32 |0 |
| 2014–15
|Super League Greece |25 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |25 |0 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!57 !0 ! colspan="2" |— !0 !0 ! colspan="2" |— ! colspan="2" |— !57 !0 |
| rowspan="4" |Arouca
|Primeira Liga |33 |0 | colspan="2" |— |4 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |37 |0 |
| 2016–17
|Primeira Liga |19 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |23 |0 |
| 2017–18
|37 |0 | colspan="2" |— |3 |0 |2 |0 | colspan="2" |— |42 |0 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!89 !0 ! colspan="2" |— !7 !0 !2 !0 !4 !0 !102 !0 |
| rowspan="6" |Boavista
|Primeira Liga |12 |0 | colspan="2" |— |1 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |13 |0 |
| 2019–20
|Primeira Liga |13 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |14 |0 |
| 2020–21
|Primeira Liga |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |1 |0 |
| 2021–22
|Primeira Liga |27 |0 | colspan="2" |— |1 |0 |4 |0 | colspan="2" |— |32 |0 |
| 2022–23
|Primeira Liga |28 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |29 |0 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!80 !0 ! colspan="2" |— !3 !0 !6 !0 ! colspan="2" |— !89 !0 |
| colspan="3" |Career total
!386 !0 !8 !0 !39 !0 !25 !0 !18 !0 !476 !0 |
Honours
Paulista
- Copa do Brasil: 2005{{cite web|url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/sc/futebol/noticia/2017/01/chape-aguarda-liberacao-de-goleiro-campeao-em-2005-com-mancini.html|title=Chape aguarda liberação de goleiro campeão em 2005 com Mancini|trans-title=Chape await release of goalkeeper champion in 2005 with Mancini|publisher=Globo Esporte|first=Eduardo|last=Florão|language=pt|date=16 January 2017|access-date=18 February 2020}}
Porto
- Primeira Liga: 2011–12
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2011{{cite web|url=https://www.tsf.pt/desporto/bis-de-rolando-da-18-supertaca-ao-fc-porto-1947948.html|title="Bis" de Rolando dá 18ª Supertaça ao FC Porto|trans-title=Rolando brace gives 18th Supercup to FC Porto|publisher=TSF|language=pt|date=7 August 2011|access-date=8 March 2021}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Sambafoot|40775-rafael-bracali|old_id=1118_rafael_bracalli}}
- {{ForaDeJogo}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bracali, Rafael}}
Category:21st-century Brazilian sportsmen
Category:Brazilian men's footballers
Category:Footballers from Santos, São Paulo
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Campeonato Brasileiro Série A players
Category:Campeonato Brasileiro Série B players
Category:Paulista Futebol Clube players
Category:Esporte Clube Juventude players
Category:Primeira Liga players
Category:Liga Portugal 2 players
Category:C.D. Nacional players
Category:S.C. Olhanense players
Category:Boavista F.C. players
Category:Super League Greece players
Category:Panetolikos F.C. players
Category:Brazilian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Greece