SL Benfica - Rafa Silva, #27
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Born in Vila Franca de Xira and raised in Forte da Casa, the elusive forward took his first steps at Povoense and Alverca before turning professional with Feirense in 2012.
A move to Braga in 2013 brought him to national prominence: he made 127 appearances for the Minho club, scoring 26 goals and lifting the Taça de Portugal in 2016. That summer Benfica invested 16.4 million euros to bring him to the Estádio da Luz.
Over eight seasons he became one of the most decisive players of his generation in red, winning three Primeira Liga titles, the Taça de Portugal and three Supertaças Cândido de Oliveira. His finest campaign came in 2018-19, when he scored a career-best 17 league goals, and he was voted SL Benfica Player of the Year in 2022.
Capped 25 times by Portugal between 2014 and 2021, he went to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and was a European champion at UEFA Euro 2016 and a UEFA Nations League winner in 2019, also featuring at Euro 2020.
After leaving for Beşiktaş in June 2024, Rafa returned home on 22 January 2026, signing until June 2028.
A move to Braga in 2013 brought him to national prominence: he made 127 appearances for the Minho club, scoring 26 goals and lifting the Taça de Portugal in 2016. That summer Benfica invested 16.4 million euros to bring him to the Estádio da Luz.
Over eight seasons he became one of the most decisive players of his generation in red, winning three Primeira Liga titles, the Taça de Portugal and three Supertaças Cândido de Oliveira. His finest campaign came in 2018-19, when he scored a career-best 17 league goals, and he was voted SL Benfica Player of the Year in 2022.
Capped 25 times by Portugal between 2014 and 2021, he went to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and was a European champion at UEFA Euro 2016 and a UEFA Nations League winner in 2019, also featuring at Euro 2020.
After leaving for Beşiktaş in June 2024, Rafa returned home on 22 January 2026, signing until June 2028.
Season Statistics: 2017/18
25
Appearances
17 Starts • 8 Sub In • 11 Sub Out
1,619
Minutes
In the Pitch
3
Goals
4 Assists
0/0
Bookings
Yellow / Red Cards
Matches During 2017/18
| Date | Competition | Venue | Opponent | Result | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 MAY SAT 20:30 |  NOS LeagueMatchday 33 | A | Sporting CP | 0-0 | Started 88' |
28 APR SAT 18:15 | NOS LeagueMatchday 32 | H | CD Tondela | 2-3 | Started 1 |
21 APR SAT 20:30 | NOS LeagueMatchday 31 | A | Estoril Praia | 1-2 | Started 1 |
15 APR SUN 18:00 | NOS LeagueMatchday 30 | H | FC Porto | 0-1 | Started 66' |
7 APR SAT 20:30 | NOS LeagueMatchday 29 | A | Vitória FC | 1-2 | Started 65' 1 |
31 MAR SAT 18:15 | NOS LeagueMatchday 28 | H | Vitória SC | 2-0 | Started |
17 MAR SAT 18:15 | NOS LeagueMatchday 27 | A | Feirense | 0-2 | Started 1 |
10 MAR SAT 18:15 | NOS LeagueMatchday 26 | H | CD Aves | 2-0 | Started 83' |
3 MAR SAT 18:15 | NOS LeagueMatchday 25 | H | Marítimo | 5-0 | Started 73' |
24 FEB SAT 20:30 | NOS LeagueMatchday 24 | A | Paços de Ferreira | 1-3 | Started 1 |
17 FEB SAT 18:15 | NOS LeagueMatchday 23 | H | Boavista FC | 4-0 | Started 70' |
10 FEB SAT 20:30 | NOS LeagueMatchday 22 | A | Portimonense | 1-3 | Started 81' |
3 FEB SAT 18:15 | NOS LeagueMatchday 21 | H | Rio Ave | 5-1 | 35' 1 |
13 JAN SAT 20:30 | NOS LeagueMatchday 18 | A | SC Braga | 1-3 | 90+3' |
3 JAN WED 21:30 | NOS LeagueMatchday 16 | H | Sporting CP | 1-1 | 73' |
29 DEC FRI 21:15 |  CTT CupMatchday 3 | A | Vitória FC | 2-2 | Started 75' |
9 DEC SAT 18:15 | NOS LeagueMatchday 14 | H | Estoril Praia | 3-1 | 79' |
18 NOV SAT 18:15 |  Portuguese Cup PlacardFourth Round | H | Vitória FC | 2-0 | Started |
14 OCT SAT 19:00 | Portuguese Cup PlacardThird Round | A | Olhanense | 0-1 | Started 81' |
1 OCT SUN 21:30 | NOS LeagueMatchday 8 | A | Marítimo | 1-1 | 76' |
20 SEP WED 21:15 | CTT CupMatchday 1 | H | SC Braga | 1-1 | Started 83' |
16 SEP SAT 18:15 | NOS LeagueMatchday 6 | A | Boavista FC | 2-1 | 50' |
12 SEP TUE 19:45 |  UEFA Champions LeagueMatchday 1 | H | CSKA Moskva | 1-2 | 89' |
26 AUG SAT 20:30 | NOS LeagueMatchday 4 | A | Rio Ave | 1-1 | Started 79' |
14 AUG MON 21:00 | NOS LeagueMatchday 2 | A | GD Chaves | 0-1 | 69' 1 |
W: 15
D: 6
L: 4