From Brazil to Berkshire and beyond to the USA, Rafael Cabral spoke to us about an international career between the sticks.
Header image: Rob Gray - Imagn Images
Rafael Cabral has enjoyed an illustrious playing career, spanning over 20 years, seeing the goalkeeper feature at the highest levels in Brazil, Italy, England, and the United States.
Since January 2025, Rafael has been with MLS side Real Salt Lake. In September, the Claret and Cobalt announced that his contract had been extended to 2027, with an option to take it until 2028.
The 35-year-old is relishing his time in America. “Playing in the MLS was always in my mind, and as soon as I decided to come here, I was so happy,” Rafael said, speaking exclusively to Goalkeeper.com. “I love the league, the fans, my teammates, and the staff. I love the way the fans see football and respect us as players and people. Real Salt Lake is an amazing club. Hopefully, we will make the play-offs and try to win the league.”
RSL chief soccer officer Kurt Schmid was delighted with the business and told the club’s website: “Rafa has been a steady, experienced presence for our goalkeeping group, and his leadership on and off the field has been outstanding. His composure on the ball, sharp shot-stopping, and ability to organise the defence have been crucial in key moments this season. We’re very pleased to keep Rafa in Utah, where his consistency and professionalism continue to make him an integral part of our club’s success.”
However, as a youngster, his journey could have been so different. “Honestly, I became a goalkeeper by accident,” he reflected. “In my first game, there was no goalkeeper, so I went in. I was angry because I didn’t want to be there, but I saved everything. My coach was an ex-goalkeeper. He said I had the quality to train and become a goalkeeper. Afterwards, I began to like it.”
A newfound enthusiasm for goalkeeper sparked his football journey, which was nurtured by his family. Throughout his life, Rafael cited strong, unconditional family support as a key factor in his development as a football player and a person. “If it wasn’t for my family, I wouldn’t be here. My mum and dad supported me. My grandmother and grandfather would always help, taking me to training. My wife is everything to me. Without them, it would be impossible.”
Born in 1990 in Sorocaba, a municipality in the state of São Paulo, Rafael quickly understood the importance of football in his homeland. “In Brazil, it's not just a sport, it’s life,” he proudly remarked. “Stadiums are always full. Every single person has their team, which they love. It’s a big deal. Playing football in Brazil is amazing. The culture means that the pressure is so high. As a goalkeeper, we cannot concede goals. Football changed my life.”
In 2003, Rafael’s talent gained further recognition, and he joined Santos’ youth system, making his debut for the first team in 2010, keeping a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw with Cruiziero in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A. Overall, he accumulated nearly 200 appearances for Santos, featuring for the club until 2013, winning six trophies, including three successive São Paulo State League titles from 2010 to 2012, as well as a Copa do Brasil, Copa Libertadores, and Recopa Sudamericana.
During this time, the goalkeeper said he played with “many great players,” including Neymar. “We played in the academy together, then for three years with the first team. We had amazing seasons. Our team was so good. It was unforgettable.”
Rafael’s football education at Santos provided him with the platform to excel as a goalkeeper. “Santos was so important for me, because everything I learned technically, physically, and tactically was in the club’s academy.”
Following this, he took the brave decision to expand his horizons, moving from Brazil to Italy, joining Napoli in the summer of 2013. Ahead of the 2014/15 campaign, Rafael emerged as the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for the Partenopei. The highlight of his spell with the club arrived in December 2014, in the Supercoppa Italiana against arch-rivals Juventus in Doha.
Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain had each netted twice, with the score tied at 2-2 after extra time. Rafael saved the penalties of Giorgio Chiellini and Simone Padoin, allowing Napoli to win the shootout 6-5. The goalkeeper was pivotal in this memorable victory and remembers the occasion with immense pride.
“We won such an important title against Napoli’s biggest rival. When you play football for Napoli, you aren’t just playing for the club, you’re representing the south of Italy and its culture. It was a big honour and a blessing to win this final.
A life-changing transfer to Championship outfit Reading in 2019 followed a brief spell at Sampdoria. Rafael came to Berkshire with a much-acclaimed, glittering reputation, which was reinforced by then-manager Jose Gomes’ comments for the club’s website: “In Rafael, we have a goalkeeper who can bring valuable experience of football played at the very highest level. He will be an excellent addition to our core team of goalkeepers, and I look forward to welcoming him into my squad.”
Rafael didn’t disappoint and emphatically delivered with a blistering introduction to Championship life. The Royals finished 14th in the 2019/20 campaign, with the goalkeeper registering 13 clean sheets in 44 appearances. This eye-catching statistic, coupled with his commendable consistency, ensured that Rafael was crowned Reading’s Player of the Season.
“It was a hard season, but I made good saves and we had a great team,” he said. “The following season was our best. We finished seventh, one place below the play-offs. The Championship is so hard and the teams are strong, so it’s very difficult to get promoted. But it was an amazing experience. Reading is a great club. I loved playing there.”
Rafael cherished his stint in England, describing playing for Reading as a “blessing,” feeling it was paramount to his improvement and goalkeeping progression due to the new challenges he faced. “In English football, there are more set pieces and long balls. It was always raining, so the pitch was quick because it was always wet. I believe I became a better player because I had the opportunity to work with so many goalkeeper coaches. I was so excited to play in England. It was my dream, and the adaptation was easy.”
Alongside his domestic exploits, Rafael also looks at his international career with tremendous fondness and gratification. The goalkeeper has registered three appearances for the Brazil national team, making his debut against Jurgen Klinsmann’s United States in a 4-1 victory in front of 67,619 at FedEx Field in Maryland in May 2012. That summer, he also featured in friendlies against Mexico and Argentina. Rafael labelled representing the Selecao as the “biggest moment” in his career.
After leaving Reading in 2022, Rafael spent time back in his native Brazil with Cruzerio and Gremio on loan. His openness and courage have allowed him to enjoy a phenomenal career, where he’s experienced an array of transformative football cultures. The shotstopper said he’s had the pleasure to work with “Brazilian, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, English and Bosnian goalkeeper coaches,” who have all helped him become a more “complete” player.
Nevertheless, it is far from finished. With his recent contract extension possibly stretching his stay in the MLS until 2028, his playing days remain in full swing. When asked how long he’ll continue playing for and his future plans, Rafael replied: “Honestly, I’m 35, but I feel 25. I love playing football and training each day. I have a passion in my heart for it, so I’m going to play for many, many years. I’m not sure if I would be a coach or a manager. In my mind, I am still going to keep playing.”
After all these years, Rafael is still brimming with an unquenchable effervescence and passion for goalkeeping. He says that “mentality and how you trust yourself” are the most important attributes to succeed as a goalkeeper. Take note, this is advice from an esteemed and respected footballer, who everyone has nothing but glowing praise for.
