Rafa (footballer, born 2003)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Rafael Rodríguez Ruiz | ||
| Date of birth | 10 July 2003 | ||
| Place of birth | Seville, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Central midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Málaga | ||
| Number | 37 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2010–2017 | Betis | ||
| 2017–2022 | Málaga | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021–2025 | Málaga B | 82 | (11) |
| 2023– | Málaga | 7 | (2) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 31 May 2025 | |||
Rafael Rodríguez Ruiz (born 10 July 2003), commonly known as Rafa, is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Málaga CF.
Club career
Born in Seville, Andalusia, Rafa joined Málaga CF's youth setup in 2017, from Real Betis. He made his senior debut with the reserves on 12 September 2021, starting in a 2–1 Tercera División RFEF away loss against Motril CF.
Rafa scored his first senior goal on 25 September 2022, netting the B's equalizer from the midfield in a 3–2 away win over UD Ciudad de Torredonjimeno.[1] He made his first team debut the following 27 May, coming on as a late substitute for fellow youth graduate Álex Calvo in a 1–1 home draw against UD Ibiza in the Segunda División, as both sides were already relegated.[2][3]
Rafa scored his first professional goal on 21 April 2025, netting his side's second in a 2–2 draw at SD Eibar.[4] On 2 June, he renewed his contract until 2028 and was definitely promoted to the main squad.[5]
References
- ^ "Desde el centro del campo y por sorpresa: el golazo del Atlético Malagueño ante el Torredonjimeno" [From the midfield and by surprise: the great goal of Atlético Malagueño against Torredonjimeno] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ "Málaga e Ibiza se despiden de la categoría con mucho lío y poco fútbol" [Málaga and Ibiza bid farewell from the category with much troubles and little football] (in Spanish). Marca. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ "Dos nuevos debuts para cerrar la Liga con 37 jugadores usados" [Two new debuts to end the League with 37 players utilized] (in Spanish). Diario Sur. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ "Rafa Rodríguez: ¿Quién es el goleador del Málaga CF en Eibar?" [Rafa Rodríguez: Who is the scorer of Málaga CF in Eibar?] (in Spanish). La Opinión de Málaga. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ "Rafa seguirá ligado al Club hasta 2028" [Rafa will remain linked to the club until 2028] (in Spanish). Málaga CF. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 2 June 2025.