Rafael Sóbis

Infobox Football biography
playername = Rafael Sóbis


fullname = Rafael Augusto Sóbis do Nascimento
dateofbirth = Birth date and age|1985|6|17|mf=y
cityofbirth = Erechim
countryofbirth = Brazil
height = height|m=1.72
currentclub = Al-Jazira
clubnumber = TBD
position = Forward or Winger
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 2004–2006
2006–2008
2008–
clubs = Internacional
Real Betis
Al-Jazira
caps(goals) = 80 (28)
57 (8)

nationalyears = 2006–
nationalteam = Brazil
nationalcaps(goals) = 9 0(1)
pcupdate = 17:07, 21 August 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 14 September, 2008

Rafael Augusto Sóbis or simply Rafael Sóbis (born 17 June 1985 in Erechim, Brazil) is a Brazilian striker or winger.

Club career

Sport Club Internacional

He started in the youth categories of Internacional and quickly won a place in the first team. Sóbis scored 19 goals in 35 matches in the 2005 season at the age of 19. In the following year, he was one of the main players in the Internacional squad that finished the Brazilian League in second place, and was selected by the CBF to play in the "all star team" at the end of the season. The 2006 season started slowly for him, who fought a series of injuries. He eventually recovered his place in the first team and helped Internacional secure the Libertadores title by scoring twice the first-leg final match against São Paulo.

Real Betis Balompié

Following interest from A.C. Milan and Racing de Santander, Rafael Sóbis signed for Real Betis in August 2006 for €9 million, putting pen to paper on a 8 year contract, a length reminiscent to that of fellow Brazilian international Denílson. He was officially unveiled to the press on 08 September 2006 and made his Real Betis and La Liga debut against Athletic Bilbao two days later on 10 September at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera stadium, a game that Betis won 3-0.

Sóbis scored his first goals against city rivals Sevilla on 17 September, a match that Betis eventually lost 3-2. Sóbis also managed to score important goals against Celta de Vigo, a debut game for then newly appointed coach Luis Fernández. Ligament damage sustained in a game against RCD Mallorca meant Sóbis missed a month of La Liga action. Sóbis major contribution to the 2006-2007 season was his dramatic late equaliser against Barcelona at the Camp Nou, assisted by fellow Brazilian Marcos Assunção.

Sóbis began his second season with Betis strongly, scoring three goals in his first six games, including goals against La Liga giants Valencia CF, RCD Mallorca and 2007 UEFA Cup finalists RCD Espanyol but once again the Brazilian's form dipped. Betis received an offer of €10.0 million from English premiership club Newcastle united for Rafael in July 2008. [cite web |url= http://www.realbetisbalompie.es/noticias/ultimahora.html?id=4740|title= Offer for Betis duo|date=July 16, 2008|accessdate=2008-07-16 |work=Report on /www.realbetisbalompie.es]

On September 2, 2008 Real Betis confirmed that Sobis had joined UAE side Al-Jazira for €10M,Brazil on September 3, 2006 against Argentina at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium. Brazil won the match 3-0 with Sóbis making his appearance as a late substitute. He played again for Brazil when they beat Wales 2-0. He was also chosen as the main striker in a friendly game against Portugal.

External links

*es icon [http://www.realbetisbalompie.es/ Official Website of Real Betis Balompié S.A.D.]
* [http://www.sambafoot.com/en/players/890_Rafael_Sobis.html Profile at Sambafoot.com]

References