Raphael Lea'i
{{Short description|Solomon Islands footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Raphael Lea'i
| fullname = Raphael Ohanua Lea'i Jr.
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2003|09|09|df=y}}
| birth_place = Honiara, Solomon Islands
| height = 1.76 m
| currentclub = Wollongong Wolves
| clubnumber = 77
| youthyears1 = 2015 | youthclubs1 = Kossa
| youthyears2 = 2016–2018 | youthclubs2 = Marist
| years1 = 2018 | clubs1 = Marist | caps1 = 6 | goals1 = 4
| years2 = 2019–2023 | clubs2 = Henderson Eels | caps2 = 44 | goals2 = 91
| years3 = 2023–2024 | clubs3 = Velež Mostar | caps3 = 12 | goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2024 | clubs4 = Adelaide City | caps4 = 9 | goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2025– | clubs5 = Wollongong Wolves | caps5 = 20 | goals5 = 4
| nationalyears1 = 2018–2019 | nationalteam1 = Solomon Islands U17 | nationalcaps1 = 12 | nationalgoals1 = 14
| nationalyears2 = 2022– | nationalteam2 = Solomon Islands | nationalcaps2 = 24 | nationalgoals2 = 12
| club-update = 28 June 2025
| nationalteam-update = 17 November 2024
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Country|{{fb|SLB}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|MSG Prime Minister's Cup}}{{medal|Winner|2023 New Caledonia|}}
}}
Raphael Ohanua Lea'i Jr. (born 9 September 2003) is a Solomon Islands professional footballer who plays as a striker for National Premier Leagues NSW club Wollongong Wolves and the Solomon Islands national team. He is the first Solomon Islands player to have played professional football in Europe.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/ba/sport/prvi-igra%C4%8D-sa-solomonskih-ostrva-u-evropi-raphael-leai-u-vele%C5%BEu-%C5%BEeli-ostvariti-dje%C4%8Da%C4%8Dki-san/2860971|title=Prvi igrač sa Solomonskih Ostrva u Evropi: Raphael Lea'i u "Veležu" želi ostvariti dječački san|publisher=aa.com.tr|access-date=2023-06-22|archive-date=2023-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609003428/https://www.aa.com.tr/ba/sport/prvi-igra%C4%8D-sa-solomonskih-ostrva-u-evropi-raphael-leai-u-vele%C5%BEu-%C5%BEeli-ostvariti-dje%C4%8Da%C4%8Dki-san/2860971|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://khelnow.com/football/2023-03-world-football-unearthing-raphael-leai|title=Unearthing Raphael Lea’i|publisher=khelnow.com|access-date=2023-06-08|archive-date=2023-06-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608194337/https://khelnow.com/football/2023-03-world-football-unearthing-raphael-leai|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/sols-rapha-trial/101875262|title=Solomon Islands' young soccer star Raphael Lea'i focussed on securing a pro deal in Europe|publisher=abc.net.au|access-date=2023-01-26|archive-date=2023-01-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126232701/https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/sols-rapha-trial/101875262|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.solomonstarnews.com/rafa-impressive/|title=Rafa impressive|publisher=solomonstarnews.com|access-date=2023-06-08|archive-date=2023-06-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608194336/https://www.solomonstarnews.com/rafa-impressive/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://footballoceania.com/2021/09/20/raphael-leai-talks-media-hype-and-career-ambitions/|title=Raphael Lea’i talks media hype and career ambitions|publisher=footballoceania.com|access-date=2023-06-08|archive-date=2023-03-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329232909/https://footballoceania.com/2021/09/20/raphael-leai-talks-media-hype-and-career-ambitions/|url-status=live}}
Early life
Lea'i was born on 9 September 2003 in Honiara. Taking up futsal at the age of 12, he played for local side Kossa before moving to Marist.{{cite web |url=https://mycujoo.tv/en/media/players/raphael-leai/features/raphael-leai-an-artist-in-football-and-futsal |title=Raphael Lea'i, an artist in football and futsal |work=MyCujoo |date=2 October 2018 |accessdate=1 March 2020 |archive-date=1 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301130804/https://mycujoo.tv/en/media/players/raphael-leai/features/raphael-leai-an-artist-in-football-and-futsal |url-status=live }}
Club career
=Marist=
Following promising performances at international level, Lea'i was noticed by foreign clubs, including Argentine Primera División club Deportivo Godoy Cruz and Australian A-League side Brisbane Roar. Both clubs offered him a trial, however due to FIFA regulations on youth footballers, he was unable to sign an overseas professional contract before the age of 18.{{cite web |url=https://theislandsun.com.sb/a-league-club-wants-rafa/ |title=A-League club wants Rafa |work=The Island Sun |date=20 November 2018 |accessdate=1 March 2020 |archive-date=28 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128203200/https://theislandsun.com.sb/a-league-club-wants-rafa/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://footballoceania.com/2018/11/29/no-argentina-trial-for-solomon-youngster-raphael-leai/ |title=No Argentina trial for Solomon youngster Raphael Lea'i |work=FootballOceania.com |date=29 November 2018 |accessdate=1 March 2020 |archive-date=30 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130093214/https://footballoceania.com/2018/11/29/no-argentina-trial-for-solomon-youngster-raphael-leai/ |url-status=live }}
By the end of 2018, Lea'i had made his senior debut for Marist scoring four goals across six matches in the 2018 Solomon Islands S-League. For 2019, Lea'i was offered a scholarship to New Zealand high school Scots College, affiliated with A-League club Wellington Phoenix; the school had previously seen foreign scholarship awardees move to professional clubs, including Eugenio Pizzuto and Calvin Harris.{{cite web |url=https://www.solomontimes.com/news/soccer-youngster-off-to-new-zealand/8885 |title=Soccer Youngster Off to New Zealand |work=SolomonTimes.com |date=28 February 2019 |accessdate=1 March 2020 |archive-date=28 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128193441/https://www.solomontimes.com/news/soccer-youngster-off-to-new-zealand/8885 |url-status=live }} Though unable to appear in competitive matches for Phoenix youth sides due to FIFA laws preventing the foreign transfer of players under 18, Lea'i ended the season as the local Wellington high school league's top scorer, having scored 15 of Scots' 41 goals for the season.{{cite web |date=30 December 2019 |title=The brilliant year of Raphael Lea'i |url=https://oceaniafootballcenter.org/2019/12/30/the-brilliant-year-of-raphael-leai/ |accessdate=1 March 2020 |work=Oceania Football Center |archive-date=18 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118191803/https://oceaniafootballcenter.org/2019/12/30/the-brilliant-year-of-raphael-leai/ |url-status=live }}
=Henderson Eels=
Following his time in New Zealand, Lea'i signed with Henderson Eels for the end of the 2019–20 S-League season. In his first season he scored 24 goals in seven matches, including a haul of 11 goals in a single match against Real Kakamora.{{cite web |date=25 January 2020 |title=Raphael Lea'i scores 11 as Henderson Eels demolishes Kakamora |url=https://oceaniafootballcenter.org/2020/01/25/raphael-leai-scores-11-as-henderson-eels-demolishes-kakamora/ |accessdate=1 March 2020 |work=Oceania Football Center |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121233538/https://oceaniafootballcenter.org/2020/01/25/raphael-leai-scores-11-as-henderson-eels-demolishes-kakamora/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=29 January 2020 |title=Raphael Lea'i wins TSL Golden Boot |url=https://oceaniafootballcenter.org/2020/01/29/raphael-leai-wins-tsl-golden-boot/ |accessdate=1 March 2020 |work=Oceania Football Center |archive-date=27 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127200942/https://oceaniafootballcenter.org/2020/01/29/raphael-leai-wins-tsl-golden-boot/ |url-status=live }} At the end of the 2019–20 S-League season, Lea'i was invited to a weeklong trial with A-League side Melbourne Victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/solomonislandsfootball/posts/1079658162385099 |title=Raphael Leai & Leon Kofana off for trial with Melbourne Victory |work=Solomon Islands Football Federation | date=29 February 2020 |accessdate=1 March 2020}} During the beginning of the 2021–22 Solomon Islands S-League season, he was offered a trial with Turkish Süper Lig side Alanyaspor, however Visa issues caused this to be delayed.{{cite web |url=https://www.solomonstarnews.com/rafa-returns/ |title=Rafa returns |last1=Aruafu |first1=Carlos |work=Solomon Star |date=20 August 2022 |accessdate=31 August 2022 |archive-date=30 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130093214/https://www.solomonstarnews.com/rafa-returns/ |url-status=live }}
=Velež Mostar=
In January 2023, it was announced that Lea'i was returning to Europe to trial with Velež Mostar of the Bosnian Premier League.{{cite web |last1=Ewart |first1=Richard |title=Solomon Islands' young soccer star Raphael Lea'i focussed on securing a pro deal in Europe |url=https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/sols-rapha-trial/101875262 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=25 January 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126232701/https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/sols-rapha-trial/101875262 |url-status=live }} It was originally reported that the stint in Bosnia and Herzegovina was only part of the player's preparation for another trial with Alanyaspor. However, it was later clarified that Lea'i was traveling to Turkey with Mostar as part of his trial with the club.{{cite web |title=Raphael Lea’i Close to Deal in Europe |url=https://www.solomontimes.com/news/raphael-leai-close-to-deal-in-europe/12375 |publisher=Solomon Times |access-date=25 January 2023 |archive-date=24 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124082701/https://www.solomontimes.com/news/raphael-leai-close-to-deal-in-europe/12375 |url-status=live }} After a successful trial match against Neretvanac Opuzen of Croatia's 3. NL, Lea'i signed a contract with the club until the end of the 2023–24 season.{{cite web |last1=Saltori |first1=Rafael |title=Europe: Raphael Lea’i displays superb performance and scores in his first friendly match |url=https://oceaniafootballcenter.org/2023/01/24/europpe-raphael-leai-displays-superb-performance-and-scores-in-his-first-friendly-mattch/ |publisher=Oceania Football Center |access-date=25 January 2023 |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126112200/https://oceaniafootballcenter.org/2023/01/24/europpe-raphael-leai-displays-superb-performance-and-scores-in-his-first-friendly-mattch/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=WELCOME TO VELEŽ, RAPHAEL! |url=https://fkvelez.ba/welcome-to-velez-raphael/?fbclid=IwAR2gp6rqEd-K8GvjFZT7GCFgo6p5zfDpFhLEWl0JTfAo-6TJo994u0_Oe0E |publisher=FK Velež Mostar |access-date=29 January 2023 |archive-date=29 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129175500/https://fkvelez.ba/welcome-to-velez-raphael/?fbclid=IwAR2gp6rqEd-K8GvjFZT7GCFgo6p5zfDpFhLEWl0JTfAo-6TJo994u0_Oe0E |url-status=live }} In the process, Lea'i become the first Solomon Islander to sign for a professional club in Europe.{{cite web |title=Solomons' striker signs for top Bosnian football club |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/483378/solomons-striker-signs-for-top-bosnian-football-club |publisher=Radio New Zealand |access-date=8 February 2023 |archive-date=8 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208160410/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/483378/solomons-striker-signs-for-top-bosnian-football-club |url-status=live }}
He scored his first goal for the club on 12 May 2023 on his first start in a game against Igman Konjic. In September 2023, Lea'i returned home after bouts of homesickness, staying on the team's books and thus did not appear again with the team at the time of his contract expiration on 30 May 2024.{{cite web |date=2 September 2023 |title=Raphael Lea’i situation explained: Green light is given for international duties and homecoming permission by FK Velež Mostar |url=https://oceaniafootballcenter.org/2023/09/02/raphael-leai-situation-explained-green-light-is-given-for-international-duties-and-homecoming-permission-by-fk-velez-mostar/ |accessdate=7 November 2023 |work=Oceania Football Center}}
=Adelaide City=
In June 2024, after his contract with Velež Mostar expired, Lea'i signed for Adelaide City in the National Premier Leagues South Australia.{{cite web |date=8 June 2024|title=Raphael Lea’i signs with Adelaide City FC for remainder of NPL Season in Australia|url=https://oceaniafootballcenter.org/2024/06/08/raphael-leai-signs-with-adelaide-city-fc-for-remainder-of-npl-season-in-australia/|work=Oceania Football Center}}
International career
=Youth=
By the age of 14, Lea'i had impressed enough to be selected for the 2017 OFC Youth Futsal Tournament. Despite being three years younger than some of his opponents, Lea'i shone through as the tournament's best player and top scorer, scoring 34 goals in six matches. He was pivotal to the success of the undefeated Solomon Islands team, helping them sweep aside the competition to take the title as well as qualifying for the 2018 Youth Olympics in Argentina. At the 2018 Youth Olympics, Lea'i scored seven goals as the Solomon Islands were eliminated in the group stage.
In September 2018, Lea'i was selected for the 2018 OFC U-16 Championship, held in Honiara. Once again, he was crucial to the success of the Solomon Islands team, scoring seven goals in three consecutive 5–0 wins over Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Vanuatu. Solomon Islands subsequently qualified for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup by defeating Fiji 3–1 in the semi-final. In the final, he missed a penalty just before full-time, with New Zealand eventually prevailing 5–4 in a penalty shootout.
Lea'i was selected to take part in the 2019 U-17 Minsk Tournament in preparation for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He scored in all three games; one in a 2–1 win over Moldova, as well as a goal in a 1–1 draw against Belarus and both goals in a 2–2 draw against Kazakhstan.
In the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Lea'i appeared in all three games - against Italy, Paraguay and Mexico — as the Solomon Islands were eliminated in the group stage.
=Senior=
During the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, Lea'i scored all three goals in a 3–1 win against Tahiti to cement Solomon Islands' spot top of Group A and qualify to the semi-finals as group winners.{{cite web |url=https://elevensports.com/en/view/highlight/cl156bcoo415q169a1au4cyfw?g=26W75hb1xL5w2dUh9h1f6Zv0UNE |title=Goal, Raphael LEA'I (Solomon Islands) |work=Elevensports |date=24 March 2022 |accessdate=24 March 2022 |archive-date=25 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325140244/https://elevensports.com/en/view/highlight/cl156bcoo415q169a1au4cyfw?g=26W75hb1xL5w2dUh9h1f6Zv0UNE |url-status=live }}
On 8 October 2023, he scored his second international hat-trick against Papua New Guinea winning the match 3–1 in the 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup. He was later awarded the player of the tournament award.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1052195342880963&set=a.358346462265858&type=3&ref=embed_page|title=DOUBLE AWARD — Rapheal Lea'i was named the Golden boot winner and Best Player of the MSG Prime Minister's Cup 2023. #MPC2023 #RL10 — at Stade Numa-Daly|website=Solomon Islands National Team Facebook|date=2023-10-14}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 28 June 2025}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.fijifootball.com.fj/profile/raphael-leai--1029545/|title=Raphael LEA'I|publisher=Fiji Football Association|access-date=6 August 2023}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National CupIncludes Solomon Cup and Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Cup !colspan="2"|ContinentalIncludes OFC Champions League !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Marist
|2018 |6 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 4 | ||||
| rowspan="5"|Henderson Eels
|rowspan="4"|S-League |7 | 24 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 26 | |||
| 2020–21
|20 | 33 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 33 | ||||
| 2021–22
|7 | 12 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 12 | ||||
| 2022–23
|10 | 22 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 22 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!50 | 95 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 97 | |
| rowspan="3"|Velež Mostar
|rowspan="2"|Premier League BH |10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 11 | 1 | |||
| 2023–24
|2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 1 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| Adelaide City
|2024 |9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 2 | |||
| Wollongong Wolves
|2025 |20 | 4 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 5 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!91 | 103 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 96 | 106 |
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 17 November 2024}}.
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan=3 | Solomon Islands | ||
| Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 7 | 5 |
| 2023 | 8 | 6 |
| 2024 | 9 | 1 |
| Total||24||12 |
:Scores and results list the Solomon Islands' goal tally first.{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/86679/Raphael_Leai.html|title=Leai, Raphael|website=National Football Teams|access-date=2022-03-24|archive-date=2022-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324160257/https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/86679/Raphael_Leai.html|url-status=live}}
| class= wikitable collapsible | ||||||
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | rowspan="3"|24 March 2022 | rowspan="3"|Al-Arabi Stadium, Doha, Qatar | rowspan="3"|{{fb|TAH}} | align=center | 1–0 | align=center rowspan="3" | 3–1 | rowspan="3"|2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 2. | align=center | 2–1 | |||||
| 3. | align=center | 3–1 | |||||
| 4. | 27 March 2022 | Al-Arabi Stadium, Doha, Qatar | {{fb|PNG}} | align=center | 3–1 | align=center | 3–2 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 5. | 24 September 2022 | Luganville Stadium, Luganville, Vanuatu | {{fb|FIJ}} | align=center | 1–0 | align=center| 2–2 | 2022 MSG Prime Minister's Cup |
| 6. | 14 June 2023 | Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium, Terengganu, Malaysia | {{fb|MAS}} | align=center | 1–0 | align=center| 1–4 | Friendly |
| 7. | rowspan="3"|8 October 2023 | rowspan="3"| Stade Numa-Daly Magenta, Nouméa, New Caledonia | rowspan="3"|{{fb|PNG}} | align=center | 1–1 | align=center rowspan="3" | 3–1 | rowspan="3"|2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup |
| 8. | align=center | 2–1 | |||||
| 9. | align=center | 3–1 | |||||
| 10. | 14 October 2023 | Stade Numa-Daly Magenta, Nouméa, New Caledonia | {{fb|NCL}} | align=center | 1–0 | align=center| 1–0 | 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup |
| 11. | 28 November 2023 | Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands | {{fb|FIJ}} | {{Center|1–0}} | {{Center|2–0}} | 2023 Pacific Games |
| 12. | 14 November 2024 | PNG Football Stadium, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | {{fb|NCL}} | align=center | 1–1 | align=center| 2–3 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Honours
Henderson Eels
- Telekom S-League: 2020–21{{cite web|url=https://www.siff.com.sb/henderson-eels-secure-first-tsl-title|title=Henderson Eels secure first TSL title|publisher=Solomon Islands Football Federation|date=21 March 2021|access-date=21 May 2023|archive-date=21 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521191730/https://www.siff.com.sb/henderson-eels-secure-first-tsl-title|url-status=live}}
Solomon Islands U18 (futsal)
- OFC Youth Futsal Tournament: 2017{{cite web|url=https://www.oceaniafootball.com/competition-list/ofc-youth-futsal-tournament-mens-2017-453578|title=OFC Youth Futsal Tournament 2017 - Men's|publisher=Oceania Football Confederation|access-date=21 May 2023|archive-date=21 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521191716/https://www.oceaniafootball.com/competition-list/ofc-youth-futsal-tournament-mens-2017-453578|url-status=live}}
Solomon Islands U17
- OFC U-16/U-17 Championship runner-up: 2018{{cite web|url=https://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc-u-16-championship/2018-ofc-u-16-championship|title=2018 OFC U-16 Championship|publisher=Oceania Football Confederation|access-date=21 May 2023|archive-date=21 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521191717/https://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc-u-16-championship/2018-ofc-u-16-championship|url-status=live}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- {{sports links}}
{{Solomon Islands squad 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leai, Raphael}}
Category:Solomon Islands men's footballers
Category:FK Velež Mostar players
Category:Adelaide City FC players
Category:Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina players
Category:Solomon Islands expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in Australia
Category:Solomon Islands expatriate sportspeople in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Category:Solomon Islands expatriate sportspeople in Australia
Category:Solomon Islands men's international footballers
Category:Solomon Islands men's futsal players