Goal efficiency
How clinical and direct the player was in front of goal — volume, accuracy, and conversion.
Coupe de la Ligue · Defender · #2 · Brazil · 34 yrs
Rafael is a defender. Rafael is a Brazilian international, 34 years old, defender. Rafael wears shirt number 2. Rafael was born in Petrópolis, Brazil on 1990-07-09. Rafael is 172 cm cm tall and weighs 78 kg kg. Rafael's Sportra profile tracks season statistics across Coupe de la Ligue, CONMEBOL Libertadores, Coupe de la Ligue, Serie A, and other leagues. Rafael's page brings together career clubs, trophies, injury history, multi-competition stats, and related news headlines. On Sportra you can explore Rafael season statistics, transfer history, trophies, injury updates, and related news across every competition tracked in the profile.
Defender · #2
| Date | Type | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-09-08 | N/A |  Olympique Lyonnais II LYO |  Başakşehir IST |
| 2016-06-29 | Transfer |  Sporting CP B SPO |  Lyon LYO |
| 2015-08-03 | € 3M |  Manchester United MUN | Lyon LYO |
Lyon LYOSeason intelligence
Profile as Defender: defensive work. Archetype: Ball-winning midfielder. Season rating 6.2.
Scaled 0–99 from season output — map to fantasy, comparisons, or scouting cards.
Per-90 rates, efficiency ratios, and Sportra indices from season totals.
How clinical and direct the player was in front of goal — volume, accuracy, and conversion.
Playmaking output: assists, key passes, and custom chance-creation signals.
Isolation threat and progressive carrying — volume plus success rate.
How often they draw fouls and stay out of trouble with cards.
Tackles, duels, and off-ball defensive contribution.
Minutes, availability, and how central they were to the team.
Every tracked category for this league and season, grouped by Sportra.
Spain's pursuit to host the 2030 World Cup final is being challenged by Morocco FA, with its president Fouzi Lekjaa naming a 115,000-seat stadium as the venue for the game. Preparations for the 2030 World Cup are already underway, set to feature the first tournament held across six nations, with Spain, Portugal, and Morocco serving as primary co-hosts. However, a high-stakes power struggle has emerged regarding the final venue after Morocco FA president Fouzi Lekjaa identified a planned 115,000-seat facility in Morocco as the target destination. Spanish news agency EFE reported Thursday that Lekjaa, during a political address in Bouznika, Morocco, declared the country would secure the final for the 2030 edition. “The province of Benslimane will have the honor of hosting the 2030 World Cup final,” he said. The proclamation drew immediate pushback from Spanish sports executives, who have long positioned Madrid’s iconic Santiago Bernabeu as the logical centerpiece for the final match. However, the venue remains unconfirmed, as FIFA, world soccer’s governing body, retains final decision-making authority over tournament match assignments. Morocco have launched an ambitious infrastructure initiative to support their co-hosting duties, anchored by a record-setting stadium project. Benslimane, the municipality highlighted by the Morocco FA president, sits 60 kilometers (37 miles) outside Casablanca and will house Hassan II Stadium, a $1 billion USD project built for a projected capacity of 115,000 seats. Upon completion, it will stand as the largest soccer-specific stadium in the world. Digital renderings of the Stade Hassan II stadium in Morocco. (Populous via Handout/Getty Images) While Lekjaa has publicly laid claim to the 2030 final, FIFA have yet to formally confirm host venue designations across the tournament. For comparison, MetLife Stadium (rebranded as New York/New Jersey Stadium during international competition) was not officially awarded the 2026 World Cup final until February 2024, reflecting the extended timeline governing bodies typically utilize before announcing final selections. Spain FA also pushing to hold the final Numerous structural decisions remain unresolved for the 2030 World Cup, including whether opening-stage fixtures assigned to Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay will expand beyond initial celebratory matches, as well as final field expansion logistics. Regardless of format adjustments, the destination of the final remains the ultimate prize, one Spanish executives are unwilling to relinquish without a fight. Speaking to reporters in Ceuta, RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation) president Rafael Louzan called for diplomatic alignment between bid partners: “Spain has to work with those with whom we signed the bid. We can’t say: now you’re in, now you’re not… We have all signed an acceptance of a bid, and the bid, as you know, is what it is. Therefore, we must work on that.“ Louzan subsequently reinforced Spain’s posture regarding the location of the final match, outlining the country’s historic qualifications. “The pity was that, regarding the final, it wasn’t made clear, completely clear, where that final has to be played. Spain, a two-time world champion and current number one in both men’s and women’s football, has to host that final. We will all work together, because we have no other choice, so that we can deliver the best World Cup in history,” explained the RFEF president.
Sporting host Galatasaray at Estádio José Alvalade on Tuesday, September 9, in the opening round of the 2026-27 Champions League league phase. Both sides arrive unbeaten in their last six matches across their domestic leagues, and both have been scoring freely enough that this looks more like a goals match than a result to call […] The post Prediction: Sporting vs Galatasaray appeared first on SoccerNews.
Pulisic is still waiting for his first appearance of the 2026-27 season, but an important development away from the pitch could soon provide answers about his long-term future. Christian Pulisic could soon have a clearer idea of where he stands at Milan, with his future at the club becoming one of the most intriguing storylines surrounding the American international. The former Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund attacker is still waiting for his first appearance of the 2026-27 season, but an important development away from the pitch could soon provide answers about his long-term future. Pulisic’s immediate focus is on returning to action, with Sunday’s meeting against Juventus potentially offering his first opportunity to make an impact. However, behind the scenes, Milan is preparing for an important conversation that could shape the next stage of the player’s career at San Siro. The 27-year-old has been included in the squad for Milan’s opening two Serie A matches against Torino and Venezia, but he has yet to play a single minute. His absence comes after a difficult summer in which he was forced to deal with a bone oedema at the junction between the tibia and fibula in his right leg. The injury ruled him out of pre-season and forced him to train separately when he returned to Italy on August 2. Although the physical problem has now been resolved, Pulisic is still working his way back to full match fitness after only around a week of team training. Christian Pulisic of AC Milan warms up before the Serie A match. Ruben Amorim made it clear that the American’s current situation is primarily about managing his return rather than questioning his quality. “He has great talent. I simply have to manage my players’ workloads, and I understand that at this moment we need to win and to put more tempo into every match,” Amorim recently told reporters. New attacking hierarchy at Milan Pulisic is expected to be on the bench against Juventus, with a second-half appearance considered the most likely scenario. A starting place is currently out of reach, particularly with Alphadjo Cisse and Ruben Loftus-Cheek ahead of him in terms of physical condition. Milan is eager to have Pulisic back because his attacking production remains extremely important. With Rafael Leao now gone, Pulisic is the club’s leading player for combined goals and assists, making his return particularly significant as Amorim searches for a new attacking hierarchy. The competition for places has changed considerably, with Milan possessing a mixture of experience, youth, physicality and creativity in the attacking midfield positions. Adrien Rabiot, Cisse, Loftus-Cheek, Diego Moreira and Alexis Saelemaekers all offer different qualities, meaning Pulisic cannot simply expect to walk straight back into the starting XI. Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan celebrates scoring against Hellas Verona with Rafael Leao. The American also endured a complicated summer away from the pitch, with Premier League side Tottenham and MLS side New York City FC reportedly attempting to bring him back to their respective leagues. Milan refused to open the door, however, highlighting how important Pulisic remains to Gerry Cardinale’s sporting and commercial project. Pulisic’s Milan renewal talks get key date That importance will now be tested in the boardroom, with a key meeting between Cardinale and Pulisic’s representatives scheduled for the middle of next week. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport and Calciomercato.com, the meeting will involve Pulisic’s entourage, including his father and agent. The timing is significant because the winger’s current contract expires in 2027, while Milan has an option that can extend the agreement until 2028. The club is expected to exercise that option, but discussions will also focus on a much longer deal that could keep the American at Milan until 2031. Christian Pulisic of AC Milan looks on The financial side of the negotiations could prove more complicated. La Gazzetta de
Amorim is now within touching distance of a remarkable record that has even eluded legendary Milan coaches such as Carlo Ancelotti. Christian Pulisic and Ruben Amorim have already enjoyed a perfect start to the new Serie A campaign, but Sunday’s trip to Juventus offers the Milan coach a chance to enter some very exclusive company. Amorim is now within touching distance of a remarkable record that has even eluded legendary Milan coaches such as Carlo Ancelotti. Milan has won both of its opening league matches, beating Torino 2-1 away before overcoming Venezia 2-0 at San Siro. Juventus has also collected six points from its first two games, setting up an early-season showdown between two sides that have yet to drop a point. For Pulisic, the fixture represents another opportunity to contribute to Milan’s strong beginning under their new coach. The American is among the attacking options available to Amorim, although he is expected to begin the match on the bench as he continues working his way back to full match fitness. The team also has several other attacking options, including Goncalo Ramos, Diego Moreira and Omari Hutchinson. The depth available to Amorim could prove crucial in Turin, particularly against a Juventus side that has also started the season with maximum points. There is also unfinished business for Pulisic at the Allianz Stadium. The American missed a penalty in the corresponding fixture last season, while Rafael Leao also squandered a one-on-one opportunity as the Red and Blacks failed to take advantage of their chances. Milan’s perfect start comes with history within reach The significance of Sunday’s match becomes clearer when Milan’s opening two results are placed alongside the club’s history. A victory in Turin would give Amorim three wins from his first three Serie A matches in charge, something that has been achieved remarkably rarely by Milan coaches. Only three managers have previously managed such a start. Mario Sperone did it in 1952, Giuseppe Viani followed in 1956, and Luigi Bonizzoni became the most recent coach to accomplish it in 1958. Amorim can now become the first Milan coach in 68 years to match that extraordinary opening. The fact that Ancelotti, Sacchi and Capello all failed to achieve it makes the opportunity even more striking. AC Milan coach Ruben Amorim gestures Even Milan legends could not manage it Sacchi lost his second league match after taking charge, while Capello won his opening two before drawing his third match, coincidentally against Juventus. Ancelotti’s first Serie A game as Milan coach ended in a 0-0 draw against Piacenza in 2001. Bonizzoni’s achievement in 1958 was particularly memorable because Milan went on to enjoy an outstanding campaign. The club lost only twice that season and ultimately won the Scudetto, adding another layer of history to a record that has remained untouched for nearly seven decades. Viani had also enjoyed a strong start two years earlier, winning his first three matches before Milan eventually went on to claim the Serie A title. Amorim therefore has the opportunity to join a very small group of managers whose early success became part of the club’s history.
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