At 39, former Bayern Munich and Brazil right-back Rafinha has officially retired from professional football, announcing the news in a heartfelt Instagram post.
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“Today is the final whistle on the pitch for me… Football has given me everything,” Rafinha wrote, expressing gratitude to every club and person who shaped his journey.
Rafinha’s illustrious career spanned over two decades and took him from Brazil to Europe, winning silverware on nearly every continent. He began at Coritiba, then rose to prominence with Schalke 04 after a standout performance in the 2005 U20 World Cup.
After 198 games and 11 goals with Schalke, a brief spell at Genoa followed before Bayern Munich signed him in 2011—the same day they announced Manuel Neuer.
With Bayern, Rafinha became a serial winner: a Champions League title, multiple Bundesliga crowns, and domestic cups.
He later returned to Brazil with Flamengo, achieving domestic glory, and had stints at São Paulo, Grêmio, and Olympiacos in Greece, reports Bavarian.
“Today I end a cycle as a player. But the love of soccer is eternal,” he concluded.
As Rafinha steps away from the pitch, he leaves behind a legacy of consistency, professionalism, and global success.
