Rafael joined the youth ranks of Cruzeiro in 2002 and received his first call up to the first team squad six years later.
During Cruzeiro's 2016 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A campaign, Rafael served as the main goalkeeper, while the first choice and club captain Fábio recovered from a long-term injury.
During the first months of 2017, he and Fábio battled for the spot, with Rafael starting in most of the 2017 Campeonato Mineiro matches.
[3] On 19 May 2024, Rafael was called up for the Brazil national team to participate the 2024 Copa América as a replacement for Ederson due to injury.
This biographical article related to a Brazilian association football goalkeeper is a stub.