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Zé Rafael

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Zé Rafael
Zé Rafael with Palmeiras in 2022
Personal information
Full name José Rafael Vivian
Date of birth (1993-06-16) 16 June 1993 (age 33)
Place of birth Ponta Grossa, Brazil
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Alverca
Number 93
Youth career
2009–2012 Coritiba
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2016 Coritiba 22 (0)
2014 → Novo Hamburgo (loan) 6 (3)
2015 → Londrina (loan) 16 (2)
2016 → Londrina (loan) 42 (8)
2017–2018 Bahia 91 (11)
2019–2025 Palmeiras 227 (17)
2025–2026 Santos 37 (2)
2026– Alverca 0 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 5 September 2026

José Rafael Vivian (born 16 June 1993), known as Zé Rafael, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Primeira Liga club Alverca.

Club career

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Coritiba

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Born in Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Zé Rafael joined Coritiba's youth setup in 2009, aged 16,[1] as an attacking midfielder. He made his first team debut on 29 April 2012, coming on as a half-time substitute for Rafael Silva in a 3–1 Campeonato Paranaense away win against Roma.

Zé Rafael was definitely promoted to the first team ahead of the 2013 season,[1] and made his Série A debut on 11 August of that year by replacing Lincoln in a 1–0 loss at Vasco da Gama. On 12 February 2014, after appearing sparingly, he was loaned to Novo Hamburgo until the end of the 2014 Campeonato Gaúcho.[2]

Zé Rafael scored his first senior goal on 27 February 2014, netting the first in a 2–1 home win against Passo Fundo. Upon returning, he only featured rarely before joining Londrina on loan on 5 May 2015, with Paulinho moving in the opposite direction.[3]

Zé Rafael became a regular starter at the Tubarão, helping in their promotion to Série B with two goals. He subsequently returned to Coxa, but after failing to make an appearance, he requested to leave and returned to Londrina on 11 February 2016, on loan until December.[4]

Zé Rafael was an undisputed starter during the second division, scoring four goals in 32 appearances as his side finished sixth, three points away from another promotion; highlights included a brace in a 2–1 away win against Vila Nova.

Bahia

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Zé Rafael with Bahia in 2017

On 6 January 2017, Zé Rafael signed a three-year deal with Bahia, in the first division.[5] He immediately became a starter for the new side, winning the 2017 Copa do Nordeste.

Zé Rafael scored his first top tier goal on 14 May 2017, netting the equalizer in a 6–2 home routing of Atlético Paranaense. He only missed two league matches in his first season, both due to suspension, and also won the 2018 Campeonato Baiano.[6]

Palmeiras

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Zé Rafael with Palmeiras in 2022

Zé Rafael signed a five-year deal with Palmeiras on 29 November 2018;[7] the signing cost R$ 14.5 million for Palmeiras and became the biggest sale in Bahia's history.[8] After the arrival of Vanderlei Luxemburgo as coach, he was moved back to a defensive midfielder position.[9]

Established as a regular starter, Zé Rafael won two Copa Libertadores titles with Verdão, being a first-choice in both campaigns. He renewed his contract until 2025 on 6 January 2023,[10] and further extended his link for another year exactly one year later.[11]

After the arrival of new signing Aníbal Moreno and the proeminence of Richard Ríos, Zé Rafael played most of the 2024 Campeonato Paulista as a left midfielder.[12] He reached 300 matches for the club in July of that year,[13] but struggled with injuries throughout the season, subsequently losing his starting spot.[14]

Santos

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Zé Rafael playing for Santos in 2025

On 26 February 2025, Santos announced the signing of Zé Rafael on a three-year contract.[15] After nursing a back injury, he made his debut for the club on 12 May, replacing Tomás Rincón late into a 0–0 draw against Ceará at the Allianz Parque, stadium of his former side Palmeiras.[16]

Zé Rafael scored his first goal for Peixe on 16 October 2025, netting the opener in a 3–1 home win over rivals Corinthians. In the following season, however, he lost space due to injuries and was subsequently separated from the squad in July 2026.[17] On 3 August of that year, he officially terminated his link with the club.[18]

Alverca

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On 24 August 2026, Zé Rafael moved to Europe for the first time and signed with Alverca in Portugal.[19]

Career statistics

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As of 4 May 2026[20]
Club Season League State League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Coritiba 2012 Série A 001000——10
2013 7050202[a]0—160
2014 3050———80
2015 001000——10
2016 000000—0000
Subtotal 100120202000260
Novo Hamburgo (loan) 2014 Gaúcho —6340——103
Londrina (loan) 2015 Série C 162————162
2016 Série B 32410410——438
Subtotal 48610420——5910
Bahia 2017 Série A 36310120—12[b]1605
2018 334123418[a]311[b]26813
Subtotal 697224618323312818
Palmeiras 2019 Série A 27540324[c]0—387
2020 2621617012[c]21[d]0625
2021 261802010[c]24[e]0503
2022 3331124011[c]12[f]1617
2023 3131404010[c]01[g]0603
2024 180130203[c]01[g]0370
Subtotal 161146632225059130825
Santos 2025 Série A 271—10——281
2026 5150101[a]0—121
Subtotal 322502010—402
Career total 320291211438361830457058
  1. 1 2 3 Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana
  2. 1 2 Appearance(s) in Copa do Nordeste
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores
  4. ↑ Appearance(s) in FIFA Club World Cup
  5. ↑ One appearance in Supercopa do Brasil, one appearance in Recopa Sudamericana, two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
  6. ↑ Appearance(s) in Recopa Sudamericana
  7. 1 2 Appearance(s) in Supercopa do Brasil

Honours

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Club

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Coritiba
Bahia
Palmeiras

Individual

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References

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  1. 1 2 "Zé Rafael representa Ponta Grossa no Brasileirão" [Zé Rafael represents Ponta Grossa at the Brasileirão] (in Portuguese). Diário dos Campos. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  2. ↑ "Coritiba empresta goleiro Victor Brasil e meia Zé Rafael ao Novo Hamburgo" [Coritiba loan goalkeeper Victor Brasil and midfielder Zé Rafael to Novo Hamburgo] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 12 February 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  3. ↑ "Londrina confirma "troca" com o Coritiba: Paulinho por Zé Rafael" [Londrina confirm "exchange" with Coritiba: Paulinho for Zé Rafael] (in Portuguese). Bem Paraná. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  4. ↑ "Insatisfeito no Coritiba, Zé Rafael é liberado e emprestado ao Londrina" [Unhappy at Coritiba, Zé Rafael is released and loaned to Londrina] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  5. ↑ "Zé Rafael". Esporte Clube Bahia (in Portuguese). EC Bahia. 6 January 2017. Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  6. ↑ "127 jogos em 10 atos inesquecíveis: relembre os dois anos de Zé Rafael pelo Bahia" [127 matches in 10 unforgettable acts: remember the two years of Zé Rafael for Bahia] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  7. ↑ "Palmeiras acerta contratação do meia Zé Rafael por 5 anos" [Palmeiras signs Zé Rafael on a five-year deal] (in Portuguese). Palmeiras. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  8. ↑ "Informe sobre Zé Rafael" [Report about Zé Rafael] (in Portuguese). EC Bahia. 29 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  9. ↑ "O ponta que virou primeiro volante: Zé Rafael abre as portas de casa e o coração sobre o Palmeiras" [The winger who became a defensive midfielder: Zé Rafael opens his house and his heart about Palmeiras] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  10. ↑ "Zé Rafael renova até fim de 2025, comemora 'volta por cima' e quer seguir nos trilhos das conquistas" [Zé Rafael renews until the end of 2025, celebrates 'comeback' and wants to remain on track of accolades] (in Brazilian Portuguese). SE Palmeiras. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  11. ↑ "Multicampeão pelo Palmeiras, Zé Rafael renova até 2026: 'Muito feliz e motivado'" [Multichampion for Palmeiras, Zé Rafael renews until 2026: 'Very happy and motivated'] (in Brazilian Portuguese). SE Palmeiras. 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  12. ↑ "O trem faz tudo! Zé Rafael muda de posição mais uma vez com Abel e se reinventa no Palmeiras" [The man does it all! Zé Rafael changes position again with Abel and reinvents himself at Palmeiras] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 24 February 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  13. ↑ "Zé Rafael celebra 300 jogos pelo Palmeiras, fala em "ano difícil" e agradece apoio da torcida" [Zé Rafael reaches 300 matches for Palmeiras, talks about "rough year" and thanks the support of the crowd] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 2 July 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  14. ↑ "Alvo do Santos, Zé Rafael tem futuro incerto no Palmeiras" [Santos' target, Zé Rafael has an uncertain future at Palmeiras] (in Brazilian Portuguese). CNN Brazil. 16 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  15. ↑ "Santos FC contrata volante Zé Rafael até dezembro de 2027" [Santos FC sign defensive midfielder Zé Rafael until December 2027] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  16. ↑ "Zé Rafael faz estreia pelo Santos em empate contra o Ceará no Allianz" [Zé Rafael makes Santos debut in a draw against Ceará at the Allianz] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário do Peixe. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  17. ↑ "Fora dos planos no Santos, Zé Rafael recebe sondagens e avalia mercado internacional" [Out of Santos' plans, Zé Rafael receives inquiries and evaluates the international market] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 11 July 2026. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  18. ↑ "Zé Rafael tem rescisão oficializada com o Santos" [Zé Rafael has his contract termination with Santos made official] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Portal ABC do ABC. 3 August 2026. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  19. ↑ "Zé Rafael é do Maior do Ribatejo!" (in Portuguese). F.C. Alverca. 24 August 2026. Retrieved 9 September 2026.
  20. ↑ Zé Rafael at Soccerway. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  21. ↑ Letizio, Mariana; Campos, Sarah; Hernandes, Pedro (21 November 2022). "'Agora é olho no olho': cerimônia do Troféu Mesa Redonda está de volta ao presencial; confira os premiados" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 21 November 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  22. ↑ "Sem Abel, Palmeiras domina seleção do Paulistão; veja time ideal e outros prêmios" [Without Abel, Palmeiras dominate the Paulistão best XI; see the team and other awards] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
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