Raí Souza Vieira de Oliveira (born 15 May 1965), known as Raí (Portuguese pronunciation:[ʁaˈi]), is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Raí played with Brazil for more than a decade, helping the country win the 1994 World Cup.
He spent the better part of his 15-year career with São Paulo[1] 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.[2][3] He is the younger brother of more famous Brazilian footballer Sócrates.
Raí joined São Paulo FC for the 1987 season, only making his league debut on 18 October due to injury. He only scored once in his first year but, following the arrival of Telê Santana as coach, blossomed into a prolific scorer, scoring 28 overall in the 1991 campaign as the team won both the regional Campeonato Paulista and the National Championship.[citation needed]
At the age of 33, Raí returned to São Paulo.[citation needed] He retired in 2000.
International career
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.[10] His debut occurred on 19 May at the Rous Cup, playing 15 minutes in a 1–1 draw against England.[citation needed]
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)[11] as the national team went on to win the tournament.
Personal life
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.[12][13]
After retiring, Raí became a social activist and justice campaigner, being involved in two separate philanthropic organisations.[13]
In the early 2000s, Raí made a cameo appearance in the TV GlobotelenovelaLaços de Família. He played his own role as an ex-footballer who meets one of the programme's characters (Ciça Soriano, played by actress Júlia Feldens) as she is flying to New York.[14]
Career statistics
Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition