[citation needed] Rafael Silva started his professional football career with Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side Coritiba in the 2012 league season.
[3] Rafael joined Albirex Niigata in August 2014 from Swiss Challenge League club Lugano.
[6] On 3 February 2018, Rafael transferred to second tier Chinese football club Wuhan Zall.
[7] He would make his debut and score his first goal for the club on 11 March 2018 in a league game against Shanghai Shenxin in a 1–0 victory.
[8] He would go on to establish himself as a vital member of the team and he would win the division as well as gaining promotion at the end of the 2018 China League One campaign.