Rafael da Silva Ripardo Queiroz, known simply as Rafael, was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a right-back. He was born on July 9, 1990, in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Rafael began his professional career with Fluminense in 2008. He quickly established himself as a regular starter for the club and helped them win the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 2010. In 2012, he moved to Manchester United for a fee of £13.5 million.
Rafael spent three seasons at Manchester United, making 73 appearances in all competitions. He won the Premier League title in 2013 and the FA Cup in 2016. However, he was unable to secure a regular starting spot in the team and was eventually sold to Lyon in 2015.
Rafael spent two seasons at Lyon, making 51 appearances in all competitions. He helped the club win the Coupe de France in 2016. In 2017, he moved to İstanbul Başakşehir on a free transfer.
Rafael spent four seasons at İstanbul Başakşehir, making 129 appearances in all competitions. He helped the club qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history in 2019.
Rafael was a talented footballer with a lot of potential. He was quick, strong, and had a good cross. However, his career was cut short by a tragic accident.
On November 4, 2021, Rafael was driving home from a training session when his car collided with a truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene. He was only 31 years old.
Rafael’s death was a shock to the world of football. He was a well-liked and respected player. He was also a loving father and husband. He is survived by his wife, Talita, and their two children, Valentina and Bernardo.
Rafael da Silva Ripardo Queiroz was a talented footballer with a bright future ahead of him. His tragic death was a loss to the sport and to the world.
