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: 2025/26
18
Appearances
13 Starts • 5 Sub In • 10 Sub Out
1,175
Minutes
In the Pitch
6
Goals
0 Assists
0/0
Bookings
Yellow / Red Cards
Matches During 2025/26
| Date | Competition | Venue | Opponent | Result | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
16 MAY SAT 20:30 |  Portugal League BetclicMatchday 34 | A | Estoril Praia | 1-3 | Started 68' 1 |
11 MAY MON 20:15 | Portugal League BetclicMatchday 33 | H | SC Braga | 2-2 | Started 1 |
2 MAY SAT 18:00 | Portugal League BetclicMatchday 32 | A | FC Famalicão | 2-2 | 85' |
25 APR SAT 18:00 | Portugal League BetclicMatchday 31 | H | Moreirense | 4-1 | Started 58' |
19 APR SUN 18:00 | Portugal League BetclicMatchday 30 | A | Sporting CP | 1-2 | 77' 1 |
12 APR SUN 18:00 | Portugal League BetclicMatchday 29 | H | Nacional | 2-0 | Started 77' 1 |
6 APR MON 20:45 | Portugal League BetclicMatchday 28 | A | Casa Pia AC | 1-1 | Started 70' |
21 MAR SAT 18:00 | Portugal League BetclicMatchday 27 | H | Vitória SC | 3-0 | 76' |
14 MAR SAT 20:30 | Portugal League BetclicMatchday 26 | A | FC Arouca | 1-2 | Started 73' |
8 MAR SUN 18:00 | Portugal League BetclicMatchday 25 | H | FC Porto | 2-2 | Started 65' |
2 MAR MON 20:15 | Portugal League BetclicMatchday 24 | A | Gil Vicente | 1-2 | Started |
25 FEB WED 20:00 |  UEFA Champions LeagueKnockout Play-offs (2nd Leg) | A | Real Madrid | 2-1 | Started 1 |
21 FEB SAT 18:00 | Portugal League BetclicMatchday 23 | H | AFS | 3-0 | Started 86' 1 |
17 FEB TUE 20:00 | UEFA Champions LeagueKnockout Play-offs (1st Leg) | H | Real Madrid | 0-1 | Started 73' |
13 FEB FRI 18:30 | Portugal League BetclicMatchday 22 | A | Santa Clara | 1-2 | Started 79' |
8 FEB SUN 20:30 | Portugal League BetclicMatchday 21 | H | FC Alverca | 2-1 | Started 88' |
1 FEB SUN 20:30 | Portugal League BetclicMatchday 20 | A | CD Tondela | 0-0 | 63' |
25 JAN SUN 18:00 | Portugal League BetclicMatchday 19 | H | Est. Amadora | 4-0 | 72' |
W: 11
D: 5
L: 2