Rafael Augusto Sóbis do Nascimento (born 17 June 1985) is a Brazilian former professional association football, footballer who played as a Forward (association football), forward. Before joining Ceará, Sóbis played for Sport Club Internacional, Internacional, Real Betis, Al-Jazira Club, Al-Jazira, Fluminense FC, Fluminense and Tigres UANL. He won the Copa Libertadores with Internacional, and was a runner-up with Tigres in 2015. Sóbis also represented the Brazil national football team, Brazil national team, winning a bronze medal at the Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament, 2008 Olympics.

Club career

Internacional

Born in Erechim, Rio Grande do Sul, he started in the youth categories of Sport Club Internacional, Internacional, known only as ''Rafael''. Inter's president at the time, Fernando Carvalho, suggested the change to only ''Sobis'', his maternal surname of Ukrainian people, Ukrainian origins, because it could be more attractive for the UEFA Europa League, European leagues, where the boy could get dual citizenship."A estrela Sobis", Leandro Behs, ''Placar'' nº. 1289, December 2005, Editora Abril, pg. 78 He went to the main team in 2004 and quickly won a place in it, being known by his name along the surname (with acute accent), ''Rafael Sóbis''. Sóbis scored 19 goals in 35 matches in the 2005 season at the age of 19. In the following year, he was one of the main players in the Sport Club Internacional, Internacional squad that finished the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Brazilian League in second place, and was selected by the Brazilian Football Confederation, CBF to play in the ''all star team'' at the end of the season. The 2006 season started slowly for him, as he fought against a series of injuries. He eventually recovered his place in the first team and helped Sport Club Internacional, Internacional secure the Copa Libertadores title; scoring twice in the first-leg of the final match against São Paulo FC, São Paulo.

Real Betis

Sóbis signed for Real Betis in August 2006 for €9 million, (Brazilian real, R$21.8 million) putting pen to paper on an 8-year contract, a length reminiscent to that of fellow Brazilian international Denílson de Oliveira Araújo, Denílson. Internacional only received 25% of the fee and the rest belong to other parties. Among 25% of Inter, R$272,500 was further deducted as agent fee. He was officially unveiled to the press on 8 September and made his Real Betis and La Liga debut against Athletic Bilbao two days later at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera stadium, a game his team won 3–0. Sóbis scored his first goals against Seville derby, city rivals Sevilla FC, Sevilla on 17 September, a match that Betis eventually lost 3–2. He also managed to score important goals against Celta de Vigo, a debut game for then newly appointed coach Luis Fernández. Ligament damage sustained in a game against RCD Mallorca meant that he missed a month of action. Sóbis' major contribution to the 2006–07 La Liga, 2006–07 season was his late equaliser against FC Barcelona, Barcelona at the Camp Nou, assisted by fellow Brazilian Marcos Assunção. He began his second season with Betis strongly, scoring three goals in his first six games, against Valencia CF, RCD Mallorca and 2007 UEFA Cup finalists RCD Espanyol but once again the Brazilian's form dipped. Betis received an offer of €10 million from English Premier League club Newcastle United F.C., Newcastle United for Sóbis in July 2008.

Al-Jazira

On 2 September 2008, Sóbis joined United Arab Emirates, UAE side Al-Jazira Club, Al-Jazira for €10 million.

Second spell at Inter

In July 2010, Sóbis returned to Internacional on loan for one year to play the Copa Libertadores. On 18 August, they defeated Chivas Guadalajara in the 2010 Copa Libertadores final with Sóbis scoring their first goal in their 3–2 win. He hurt his arm while scoring the goal by falling over it, and had to be replaced later on by Leandro Damião, who also ended up scoring a goal during the match. After the loan ended, Internacional did not use the buy option, due to his injuries and high price, and he returned to the Middle East.

Fluminense

On 21 July 2011, Fluminense Football Club, Fluminense announced three signings at the club's 109th birthday: Sóbis and Argentinian midfielders Alejandro Martinuccio and Manuel Lanzini. He reunited with manager Abel Braga at the Rio de Janeiro, carioca club, having been his player at Inter and Al-Jazira. Despite scepticism from fans and press because of his injury history, Sóbis went on to play an important role at the team's title run and ultimate 3rd-place finish in 2011 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, 2011 Série A, scoring 10 goals in 26 games. After one year playing on loan from Al-Jazira Club, Al-Jazira, Fluminense bought Sóbis' economic rights for brazilian real, R$8.75 million in July 2012, with him signing a three-year contract. The ''Tricolor'' ended that season winning the 2012 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, national championship. On 24 December 2014, he left Fluminense by mutual consent.

Tigres UANL

Four days after leaving Fluminense, Sóbis joined Mexican side Tigres UANL for the Clausura 2015 season. He became champion of the Apertura 2015 season of Liga MX and runner-up of the 2015 Copa Libertadores.

Cruzeiro

On 23 June 2016, Sóbis signed for Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, Cruzeiro until 2019, joining a day after Argentine striker Ramón Ábila. Sóbis went on to become an important part of the team's 11, playing as a winger and as a central striker. Cruzeiro's supporters embraced the player's grit and determination, specially during important matches and derbies, during which Rafael Sóbis shown to rise to the occasion. The player's Chonmage, samurai haircut or Viking style was also referenced and copied by supporters during the first half of 2017.

Back to Internacional

On 5 January 2019, Sóbis joined Sport Club Internacional, Internacional for the third time, on a one-year contract.

Ceará

In January 2020, Sóbis joined Ceará Sporting Club, Ceará on a one-year contract, being their sixth signing for the season. He went on to play well at that year 2020 Campeonato Cearense, State League and 2020 Copa do Nordeste, Copa do Nordeste, but his performances declined when playing in 2020 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Série A.

Return to Cruzeiro and retirement

In November 2020, Sóbis rejoined Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, Cruzeiro until the end of the 2021 season. He reportedly returned to help the Minas Gerais team to overcome their financial difficulties and relegation to 2020 Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, Série B. Sobis then retired at the end of his contract, being a fan favourite throughout his two spells at the club.

International career

Sóbis made his debut for Brazil national football team, Brazil on 3 September 2006 against Argentina national football team, Argentina at the Emirates Stadium in London; Brazil won the match 3–0 with Sóbis making his appearance as last-minute substitute for Robinho. He scored his first Brazil's goal in an unofficial friendly match against Kuwaiti club Al Kuwait Kaifan, Al Kuwait on 7 October 2006. He won a bronze medal with the Brazil Olympic football team, Brazil U-23 team at the 2008 Summer Olympics in China. As a substitute in the group stage against New Zealand national under-23 football team, New Zealand, he concluded a 5–0 win from Lucas Leiva's pass.

Style of play

A dynamic forward, Sóbis often plays a creative role due his intelligence on the pitch, mobility, vision and Passing (association football), passing, features that make him effective at creating chances to provide Assist (football), assists for teammates. Although his favored position is that of a second striker, supporting striker, he is capable to play as a winger (association football), winger and lone striker (association football), striker. Under coach Ricardo Ferretti, Sóbis played a versatile role as he was deployed as a striker in the Tigres' 4–4–2 formation, second striker in 4–4–1–1 and as a central attacking midfielder in 4–2–3–1. A right-footed accurate set-piece taker, he is also capable to pass, cross and finish with the left.

Career statistics

Honours

Club

;Internacional * Campeonato Gaúcho: 2011 * Copa Libertadores: 2006 Copa Libertadores, 2006, 2010 Copa Libertadores, 2010 ;Fluminense * Campeonato Carioca: 2012 * Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2012 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, 2012 ;Cruzeiro * Campeonato Mineiro: 2018 * Copa do Brasil: 2017 Copa do Brasil, 2017, 2018 Copa do Brasil, 2018 ;UANL *Liga MX: 2015–16 Liga MX season#Torneo Apertura, Apertura 2015 *Copa Libertadores: Runner up 2015 Copa Libertadores, 2015 *Concacaf Champions League: Runner up 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League, 2015–16

International

;Brazil * Olympic Games Bronze medal: 2008 Olympic Games, 2008

Individual

* Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year: 2005 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, 2005 * Top Scorer Copa do Brasil 2017

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Sobis, Rafael 1985 births Living people People from Erechim Brazilian footballers Brazilian people of Ukrainian descent Association football forwards Campeonato Brasileiro Série A players Campeonato Brasileiro Série B players Cruzeiro Esporte Clube players Sport Club Internacional players Fluminense FC players Ceará Sporting Club players La Liga players Real Betis players Al Jazira Club players Tigres UANL footballers Brazil youth international footballers Brazil under-20 international footballers Brazil international footballers Expatriate footballers in Spain Expatriate footballers in the United Arab Emirates Expatriate footballers in Mexico Footballers at the 2008 Summer Olympics Olympic footballers of Brazil Olympic bronze medalists for Brazil Olympic medalists in football Brazilian expatriate footballers Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics Brazilian expatriate sportspeople in Spain Brazilian expatriate sportspeople in the United Arab Emirates Brazilian expatriate sportspeople in Mexico Liga MX players UAE Pro League players Sportspeople from Rio Grande do Sul