Raí

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Born
1965 (60 years old)
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Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

Position
Attacking Midfield

Status

Ethnicity
Hispanic

Team Number

Height
188 cm

Outfitter

Kit
Wage Year

Player Cutout
No Cutout thumb

Archive

Full Body Render

Sport

Soccer

Team
_Retired Soccer

2nd Team

League
_No League Soccer

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Creative Commons logo

Yes

Description

Raí Souza Vieira de Oliveira (born 15 May 1965), known as Raí (Portuguese pronunciation: ), is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.

He spent the better part of his 15-year career with São Paulo and Paris Saint-Germain, winning 10 major titles with the two teams combined, and nearing the 100-goal mark. He is considered by fans, journalists and players as the greatest legend of Paris Saint-Germain despite his relatively short period at the club. He is the younger brother of more famous Brazilian footballer Sócrates.

Raí played with Brazil for more than a decade, helping the country win the 1994 World Cup.

Raí gained the first of his 49 caps for Brazil in 1987, whilst at São Paulo, being selected to that year's Copa América in Argentina, playing twice – including in the 0–4 group stage loss against Chile – in an eventual group stage exit. His debut occurred on 19 May at the Rous Cup, playing 15 minutes in a 1–1 draw against England.

Raí was picked by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira for his 1994 FIFA World Cup squad. He captained the team in the group stage and scored a penalty in the first match, a 2–0 win against Russia, after Romário was brought down in the box. Raí was subsequently dropped from the first team in the knockout stages, with Dunga taking over the captaincy. He was used as a substitute against the Netherlands (quarterfinals, ten minutes) and Sweden (semifinal, 45 minutes) as the national team went on to win the tournament.

Raí's older brother, Sócrates, was also a footballer and an attacking midfielder. He too represented Botafogo de São Paulo in his career, and was also a longtime Brazilian international.

After retiring, Raí became a social activist and justice campaigner, being involved in two separate philanthropic organisations.

Trophies

Campeonato Paulista 2000	Campeonato Paulista 1998	French Coupe de France 1997-1998	French Coupe de la Ligue 1997-1998
French Trophée des… 1995	French Coupe de France 1994-1995	French Coupe de la Ligue 1994-1995	FIFA World Cup 1994
French Ligue 1 1993-1994	Copa Libertadores 1993	Campeonato Paulista 1992	Copa Libertadores 1992
FIFA Club World Cup 1992	Brazilian Brasileirao 1991	Campeonato Paulista 1991	Campeonato Paulista 1989
Campeonato Paulista 1987