Rafael (footballer, born 1978)

Rafael Pires Vieira (born 1 August 1978), better known simply as Rafael, is a Brazilian former football centre forward. He played a large part of his career in the Veikkausliiga in Finland, winning the goal kingship twice and becoming a Veikkausliiga legend in 2019.^[1]

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Pires and the second or paternal family name is Vieira.

Rafael

Vieira in 2015.
Personal information
Full name	Rafael Pires Vieira
Date of birth	(1978-08-01) 1 August 1978 (age 46)
Place of birth	Criciúma, Brazil
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s)	Centre forward
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1997	HJK	21	(11)
1998–1999	Jazz	31	(7)
1999–2000	HJK	32	(19)
2000–2002	Heerenveen	6	(0)
2002–2003	Denizlispor	0	(0)
2004	FJK	21	(17)
2005–2016	Lahti	250	(103)
Total		361	(157)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 December 2014

Honours

Individual

• Veikkausliiga Top Score: 2007