Official Market: Brasileirão, Libertadores, and Sudamericana Winner at Palmeiras Heads to Portugal

Surprise in Alverca: Zé Rafael Joins Ribatejanos!

The experienced 33-year-old Brazilian midfielder was currently a free agent, and Alverca seized a prime opportunity. They've recruited a player embarking on his first European football experience, yet he arrives with an impressive and extensive resume built over several seasons in Brazil.

A product of Coritiba's academy, where he reached the senior squad in 2012, Zé Rafael later represented Novo Hamburgo, Londrina, and Bahia before moving to Palmeiras in 2019. At the 'Verdão,' he carved out a long and highly successful career. Beyond his 308 appearances, 25 goals, and 25 assists over six years with the São Paulo club (the last five under Portuguese coach Abel Ferreira), the midfielder amassed a remarkable trophy haul: four Campeonato Paulista titles, two Brasileirão titles, two Copa Libertadores, a Copa Sudamericana, a Copa do Brasil, and a Supercopa do Brasil.

In 2025, he was set to join another prominent club in the South American nation, Santos. During his approximately year-and-a-half stint at Vila Belmiro, Zé Rafael added 40 more appearances, two goals, and one assist.

His present, however, is in Portuguese football with Alverca, and Zé Rafael is clearly motivated for this new chapter in his career. “I’m eager to make my debut in this shirt and bring a lot of joy to the Alverca fans,” he stated in comments released by the club’s official media outlets.