Zé Rafael

Zé Rafael is a Brazilian midfielder known for his consistency and precise medium-distance passing. He emerged from regional football and gained prominence at Bahia before transferring to Palmeiras. At Bahia, between 2017 and 2018, he played in a more attacking midfield role and attracted attention for his runs into the box and long-range goals. His strong performances earned him a move to Palmeiras in 2019. At Palmeiras, he was shifted to a defensive midfielder position and became instrumental to the team that won the Copa Libertadores in 2020 and 2021, as well as the Brazilian Championships in 2022 and 2023. His game intelligence and ability to initiate attacking plays from deep positions made him one of the most reliable defensive midfielders in Brazilian football during the 2020s.