Rafael Castillo (footballer)

Rafael Castillo

Personal information
Full name	Rafael Arlex Castillo Galvis
Date of birth	(1980-06-06) June 6, 1980 (age 44)
Place of birth	Pereira, Colombia
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
	Deportivo Pereira
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1996–1997	Deportivo Pereira
2001–2002	Deportivo Pereira
2002–2003	Atlético Nacional
2003	Atlético Bucaramanga
2004	Independiente Medellín
2004–2005	Al-Ahly
2005–2006	Deportivo Pereira
2006–2007	Millonarios
2007	Deportes Quindío
2008–2009	Independiente Medellín	19	(2)
2010	Atlético Huila	35	(7)
2011	Deportes Tolima	17	(4)
2012	Real Cartagena	14	(2)
2013	Deportivo Pereira	14	(3)
2013	Llaneros	15	(3)
2014–2015	San Antonio Scorpions	43	(14)
2016–2019	San Antonio FC	68	(14)
International career
2001–2003	Colombia	9	(3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 October 2019

Rafael Arlex Castillo (born June 6, 1980) is a Colombian footballer who plays as a midfielder. He previously played for the former San Antonio Scorpions of the NASL and the Colombia national football team between 2001 and 2003. He is known for his tenacious style of play despite his diminutive stature.

His past clubs include Real Cartagena (Colombia), Independiente Medellín (Colombia), Al-Ahly (Egypt) and Deportivo Pereira (Colombia).

San Antonio Scorpions

Castillo was a mid-season acquisition for the Scorpions. He was brought in between the Spring and Fall 2014 North American Soccer League seasons and immediately started. He played attacking midfield for the Scorpions and helped lead the team to the 2014 NASL Championship. In only half a season, he led the team in goals scored for the entire year.

In the Soccer Bowl 2014, Castillo executed a stunning Bicycle kick to open the scoring. The San Antonio Scorpions would go on to win the game 2-1. Castillo's effort in the final also included an assist to Billy Forbes on a sublime through-ball that split the defense.^[1][2]

He remained with San Antonio until the club ceased operations in December 2015.

San Antonio FC

Castillo signed with 2016 USL expansion club, San Antonio FC on February 4, 2016.

Honours

Independiente Medellín

• Categoría Primera A: 2004-I,

Al Ahly

• Egyptian Premier League: 2004–05

2009-II

• MVP Soccer Bowl: 2014

References

1. Thomas Hautmann (17 November 2014). "Wonder bicycle kick goal scored in NASL championship game". Fox Soccer. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
2. "Castillo bicycle kick helps San Antonio Scorpions win 2014 NASL Championship". Soccer Wire. 16 November 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.

External links

• Rafael Castillo at BDFA (in Spanish)
• GolGolGol(Colombian soccer official website)(in Spanish) at the Wayback Machine (archived 18 March 2010)
• Tolima, sigue sumando refuerzos(in Spanish) at the Wayback Machine (archived 2 January 2011)
• Rafael Castillo in Independiente Medellín Official Website (in Spanish)^{[permanent dead link‍]}
• Career Stats (in Spanish) at the Wayback Machine (archived 1 April 2012)
• Rafael Castillo at National-Football-Teams.com