{"id":382444,"first_name":"José Rafael","last_name":"Viviano","short_name":"Zé Rafael","common_name":"Zé Rafael","place_of_birth":"Ponta Grossa, PR","gender":"male","height":175,"weight":71,"status":"active","createdAt":"2025-06-10T08:23:39.652Z","updatedAt":"2025-06-15T21:46:11.698Z","locale":"es","age":31,"stb_id":"ze-rafael","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Zé Rafael","top_position":null,"introduction":"**José Rafael Vivian**, commonly known as **Zé Rafael**, is a versatile Brazilian defensive midfeilder who currently plays for \"Santos FC\". Standing at 175cm, the 31-year-old has established himself as one of the most adaptable players in Brazilian footbal over the past decade. Zé Rafael's career trajectory showcases a player who has continually evolved his game. His journey from a winger to a defensive midfielder demonstrates his tactical intelligence and commitment to team needs.","early_life_and_career":"Born on June 16, 1993, in Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Zé Rafael began his footbal journey in the youth ranks of local Brazilian clubs. His early days were marked by a natural talent that caught the attention of scouts from across the country. The yeam scouts were particularly impressed by his technical abilities and work rate. \n\nHis professional career kicked off at \"Coritiba\", where he showed glimpses of his potential but struggled to secure regular playing time. This led to a loan spell at \"Novo Hamburgo\" in 2014, followed by another loan at \"Londrina\" between 2015 and 2016. These loan spells were crucial for his development. These experiences helped the young Brazilian gain valuable match experience and refine his skills on the pitch.","professional_career_and_highlights":"Zé Rafael's career took a significant turn when he joined \"EC Bahia\" in January 2017. At Bahia, he played 127 matches over two years, establishing himself as a reliable performer in the Brazilian top flight. His performances caught the eye of \"Palmeiras\", one of Brazil's most successful clubs. In November 2018, he signed a five-year deal with the \"Verdão\". \n\nAt \"Palmeiras\", Zé Rafael truly came into his own. He transitioned from playing primarily as a winger to becoming a defensive midfielder. This positional change allowed him to showcase his verstility and tactical awareness. Over the years, the club showed great faith in him, extending his contract multiple times with the latest keeping him at the club until 2026. \n\nHis longevity and consistency were highlighted when he reached the impressive milestone of 300 matches for \"Palmeiras\" in July 2024. Few players manage to accumulate so many appearances for a club of Palmeiras' stature. Few players demonstrate such consistent form over many seasons.","playing_style_and_skills":"Originally deployed as a winger, Zé Rafael has successfully reinvented himself as a defensive midfeilder, showcasing his extraordinary adaptability. He reads the game exceptionally well, often anticipating opponents' moves before they happen. His tackling is clean and effective, and he rarely gets caught out of position. \n\nZé Rafael excels at intercepting passes and winning tackles - two essential qualities for any defensive midfielder. His distribution is equally impressive; he can dish out passes with pinpoint accuracy, whether it's a simple five-yard ball or a long diagonal to switch play. \n\nDespite standing at only 175cm, he competes well in aerial duels thanks to his excellent timing and leap. The Brazilian isn't just a destroyer though; he contributes to his team's build-up play with intelligent movement and careful ball retention. His ability to control the tempo of games has become one of his most valuable assets. He plays with the knife between his teeth in big matches, never shirking from physical confrontations.","notable_achievements":"Throughout his career at \"Palmeiras\", Zé Rafael has become what Brazilians call a \"multicampeão\" (multiple champion). His trophy cabinet has grown significantly during his time with the club. He's won numerous titles and has been a key contributor to the club's success in recent years. \n\nOne of his most significant individual recognitions came when he was selected for the Paulistão (São Paulo State Championship) best XI in 2023. This selection highlighted his importance not just to \"Palmeiras\" but in the context of the entire state's football landscape. \n\nHis achievement of reaching 300 appearances for \"Palmeiras\" in July two thousand twenty-four underscores his consistency and importance to the team. Many players come and go, but Zé Rafael has remained a constant presence in the squad, trusted by multiple managers over the years.","impact_on_sport":"Zé Rafael's career trajectory offers a compelling narrative about the importance of adaptability in modern footbal. His successful transition from winger to defensive midfielder serves as an inspiration for players facing similar career crossroads. The Brazilian's journey demonstrates that with the right mindset and work ethic, players can reinvent themselves and extend their careers at the highest level. \n\nRepresenting his hometown of Ponta Grossa in the Brasileirão has made him a source of pride for the local community. His presence in Brazilian football's top flight gives young aspiring footballers from smaller cities hope that they too can reach the pinnacle of the sport. \n\nPerhaps most significantly, Zé Rafael has shown that flash and flair aren't the only routes to success in Brazilian football. His workmanlike approach, tactical discipline, and consistent performances have earned him respect throughout the country. While he may not generate the same headlines as some of his more attack-minded teammates, coaches and analysts recognize his crucial role in balancing the team and providing the platform for others to shine.","stb_internal_id":"0192fba9-be30-7b81-8d37-58980a9c372d","overrides":null,"type_code":"midfielder","position_type_code":"midfielder","detailed_position_type_code":"central-midfied","roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":false,"has_social_media_relations":false,"introduction_html":"

José Rafael Vivian, commonly known as Zé Rafael, is a versatile Brazilian defensive midfeilder who currently plays for \"Santos FC\". Standing at 175cm, the 31-year-old has established himself as one of the most adaptable players in Brazilian footbal over the past decade. Zé Rafael's career trajectory showcases a player who has continually evolved his game. His journey from a winger to a defensive midfielder demonstrates his tactical intelligence and commitment to team needs.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Born on June 16, 1993, in Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Zé Rafael began his footbal journey in the youth ranks of local Brazilian clubs. His early days were marked by a natural talent that caught the attention of scouts from across the country. The yeam scouts were particularly impressed by his technical abilities and work rate.

His professional career kicked off at \"Coritiba\", where he showed glimpses of his potential but struggled to secure regular playing time. This led to a loan spell at \"Novo Hamburgo\" in 2014, followed by another loan at \"Londrina\" between 2015 and 2016. These loan spells were crucial for his development. These experiences helped the young Brazilian gain valuable match experience and refine his skills on the pitch.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Zé Rafael's career took a significant turn when he joined \"EC Bahia\" in January 2017. At Bahia, he played 127 matches over two years, establishing himself as a reliable performer in the Brazilian top flight. His performances caught the eye of \"Palmeiras\", one of Brazil's most successful clubs. In November 2018, he signed a five-year deal with the \"Verdão\".

At \"Palmeiras\", Zé Rafael truly came into his own. He transitioned from playing primarily as a winger to becoming a defensive midfielder. This positional change allowed him to showcase his verstility and tactical awareness. Over the years, the club showed great faith in him, extending his contract multiple times with the latest keeping him at the club until 2026.

His longevity and consistency were highlighted when he reached the impressive milestone of 300 matches for \"Palmeiras\" in July 2024. Few players manage to accumulate so many appearances for a club of Palmeiras' stature. Few players demonstrate such consistent form over many seasons.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Originally deployed as a winger, Zé Rafael has successfully reinvented himself as a defensive midfeilder, showcasing his extraordinary adaptability. He reads the game exceptionally well, often anticipating opponents' moves before they happen. His tackling is clean and effective, and he rarely gets caught out of position.

Zé Rafael excels at intercepting passes and winning tackles - two essential qualities for any defensive midfielder. His distribution is equally impressive; he can dish out passes with pinpoint accuracy, whether it's a simple five-yard ball or a long diagonal to switch play.

Despite standing at only 175cm, he competes well in aerial duels thanks to his excellent timing and leap. The Brazilian isn't just a destroyer though; he contributes to his team's build-up play with intelligent movement and careful ball retention. His ability to control the tempo of games has become one of his most valuable assets. He plays with the knife between his teeth in big matches, never shirking from physical confrontations.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Throughout his career at \"Palmeiras\", Zé Rafael has become what Brazilians call a \"multicampeão\" (multiple champion). His trophy cabinet has grown significantly during his time with the club. He's won numerous titles and has been a key contributor to the club's success in recent years.

One of his most significant individual recognitions came when he was selected for the Paulistão (São Paulo State Championship) best XI in 2023. This selection highlighted his importance not just to \"Palmeiras\" but in the context of the entire state's football landscape.

His achievement of reaching 300 appearances for \"Palmeiras\" in July two thousand twenty-four underscores his consistency and importance to the team. Many players come and go, but Zé Rafael has remained a constant presence in the squad, trusted by multiple managers over the years.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Zé Rafael's career trajectory offers a compelling narrative about the importance of adaptability in modern footbal. His successful transition from winger to defensive midfielder serves as an inspiration for players facing similar career crossroads. The Brazilian's journey demonstrates that with the right mindset and work ethic, players can reinvent themselves and extend their careers at the highest level.

Representing his hometown of Ponta Grossa in the Brasileirão has made him a source of pride for the local community. His presence in Brazilian football's top flight gives young aspiring footballers from smaller cities hope that they too can reach the pinnacle of the sport.

Perhaps most significantly, Zé Rafael has shown that flash and flair aren't the only routes to success in Brazilian football. His workmanlike approach, tactical discipline, and consistent performances have earned him respect throughout the country. While he may not generate the same headlines as some of his more attack-minded teammates, coaches and analysts recognize his crucial role in balancing the team and providing the platform for others to shine.

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Transferencia	Gol	Asistencias
Palmairas January 2019 - February 2025	0	2
Santos February 2025 - Ahora	0	0

Zé Rafael: Carrera