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Raí

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Raí
Raí in 2009
Personal information
Full name Raimundo Souza Vieira de Oliveira
Date of birth (1965-05-15) 15 May 1965 (age 61)
Place of birth Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position Attacking midfielder
Youth career
1980–1985 Botafogo-SP
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1984–1987 Botafogo-SP
1986 → Ponte Preta (loan) 10 (1)
1987–1993 São Paulo 110 (25)
1993–1998 Paris Saint-Germain 147 (51)
1998–2000 São Paulo 19 (1)
International career
1987–1998 Brazil 49 (17)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing Brazil
FIFA World Cup
Winner1994 United States
Copa América
Runner-up1991 Chile
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Raimundo Souza Vieira de Oliveira (born 15 May 1965), commonly known as Raí (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁaˈi]), is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. The younger brother of former Brazil captain Sócrates,[1][2] Raí also captained the Brazil national team and was part of the squad that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

He spent most of his 15-year career with São Paulo and Paris Saint-Germain,[3] winning 10 major titles and scoring nearly 100 goals across the two clubs. Raí is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Paris Saint-Germain's history.[4][5]

Club career

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Early years

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Born into a middle-class family in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Raí played street football and basketball during his youth. At the age of 15, he began pursuing football seriously and joined local club Botafogo after a friend encouraged him to attend a trial. He made his official debut in 1984 and, following a series of promising performances, signed for Série A club Ponte Preta two years later. However, injuries and a loss of form led to his return to Botafogo, where he revived his career under Uruguayan coach Pedro Rocha. His performances subsequently earned him a call-up to the Brazil national team and attracted interest from several clubs.[6]

São Paulo

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Raí in 1993

Raí joined São Paulo for the 1987 season, only making his league debut on 18 October due to injury. After scoring only once in his first year, Raí developed into a prolific goalscorer under coach Telê Santana, scoring 29 goals in the 1991 campaign as the team won both the regional Campeonato Paulista and the National Championship.[citation needed]

In 1992, Raí helped São Paulo win the club's first Copa Libertadores, scoring the only goal of the second leg of the final against Newell's Old Boys to force a penalty shootout. Later that year, he scored both goals in São Paulo's 2–1 victory over Barcelona in the 1992 Intercontinental Cup in Tokyo. The performance capped an outstanding year for Raí, whose goalscoring exploits had earned him the nickname o Terror do Morumbi ("the Terror of Morumbi"), and he was subsequently named South American Footballer of the Year.[7][6]

In the 1993 season, São Paulo defended their Copa Libertadores title, with Raí again scoring in the final as CD Universidad Católica were beaten 5–1 at the Estádio do Morumbi.[2]

Paris Saint-Germain

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In June 1993, Raí was acquired by Paris Saint-Germain of France for US$4.6 million,[8] remaining with São Paulo until the end of the year. He still managed to contribute with six goals in 28 Ligue 1 games as his new club won the national championship for the second time in its history; he helped PSG to the following season's French Cup, and was on target in the League Cup final against SC Bastia (2–0).[9][10] He also reached the semi-finals of the 1994–95 UEFA Champions League with PSG.

Raí once again proved essential as PSG won the 1996 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, scoring twice in a 3–1 home win against Parma, after a 1–0 away loss. He also appeared in the final against SK Rapid Wien, and went on to score three seasons in double digits during his five-season spell. In 1997–98 he scored in both the Coupe de la Ligue final and the Coupe de France final against Bordeaux and Lens respectively as PSG won both games.[11][12]

Return to São Paulo

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In May 1998, shortly before his 33rd birthday, Raí returned to São Paulo after five seasons with Paris Saint-Germain. Negotiations for his return had begun in December 1997, and he was released from the remainder of his contract in time to be registered for the second leg of the 1998 Campeonato Paulista final against Corinthians.[13] Having trained only briefly with his new teammates, he started the match on 10 May and headed the opening goal as São Paulo overturned a 2–1 first-leg defeat with a 3–1 victory to win the state championship.[14]

On 9 August 1998, Raí ruptured the cruciate ligaments in his left knee following a challenge during a league match against Cruzeiro, requiring surgery and an extended period of rehabilitation.[15] He later returned to the team and added another Campeonato Paulista title in 2000. In July of that year, he announced that he would retire following the Copa dos Campeões. His final professional appearance came on 22 July in a 3–1 defeat to Sport.[16] Across his two spells with São Paulo, he made 395 appearances, scored 128 goals and won nine trophies.[17]

International career

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Raí entered the 1994 FIFA World Cup as Brazil's captain and number 10, and was described in the British press as the team's "poster boy" before the tournament.[18][2] He was selected by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira for the squad and captained the Seleção during the group stage, scoring a penalty in the opening match, a 2–0 win against Russia, after Romário was brought down in the box. Raí subsequently lost his place in the starting line-up ahead of the knockout stage, with Dunga taking over the captaincy.[19] He appeared as a substitute against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals and Sweden in the semi-finals,[20] as Brazil went on to win the tournament.

Style of play

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Raí was a technically gifted and physically strong attacking midfielder who operated as a traditional number 10. He combined creativity, vision and passing ability with a notable goalscoring threat, often advancing from midfield to finish attacking moves and posing a particular danger from set pieces. His blend of Brazilian technique and physical presence enabled him to influence matches both as a creator and as a scorer.[21][6]

Early in his career, Raí was criticised for his languid style of play and inconsistent work rate. Under Telê Santana at São Paulo, however, he developed greater tactical discipline and became a more complete midfielder. He later established himself as the central playmaker at Paris Saint-Germain, where he dictated his team's attacking play from midfield. His footballing intelligence, composure and leadership were also regarded as important aspects of his game.[6]

Post-playing career

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In the early 2000s, Raí made a cameo appearance as himself in the TV Globo telenovela Laços de Família, in a scene in which he meets the character Ciça Soriano, played by Júlia Feldens, on a flight to New York City.[22]

Raí also became active in social advocacy and football administration. In December 1998, he co-founded the Fundação Gol de Letra with former teammate Leonardo, providing educational, sporting, cultural and vocational programmes for young people in disadvantaged communities in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.[23] In 2006, he helped establish Atletas pela Cidadania, later renamed Atletas pelo Brasil, which campaigns for access to sport and improved public sports policy.[24][25]

On 7 December 2017, Raí returned to São Paulo as the club's executive director of football, assuming responsibility for its football department and sporting planning.[26] He remained in the position for just over three years. In February 2021, following the dismissal of head coach Fernando Diniz, Raí resigned before the scheduled end of his contract.[27]

In July 2022, Raí became a shareholder and ambassador of Paris FC, contributing to the club's institutional development while not being involved in its day-to-day sporting operations.[28] In 2024, he completed an Executive Master in Public Policy Management at Sciences Po, which he undertook in connection with his social and educational work through the Gol de Letra Foundation.[29]

Personal life

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Raí is the youngest of six sons and the younger brother of former Brazil captain Sócrates. Their father, an avid reader with an interest in classical philosophy, named his three eldest sons Sócrates, Sóstenes and Sófocles. Raí's name was derived from the first syllable of his father's name, Raimundo.[30]

Career statistics

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Club

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Coupe de France Coupe de la Ligue Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Paris Saint-Germain 1993–94 Division 1 28642—4[a]0—368
1994–95 Division 1 281250427[b]2—4416
1995–96 Division 1 271431106[a]21[c]03817
1996–97 Division 1 359311010[a]32[d]25115
1997–98 Division 1 291063518[b]4—4818
Total 1475121711335113221774
  1. 1 2 3 Appearances in UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
  2. 1 2 Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. ↑ Appearance in Trophée des Champions
  4. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Super Cup

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Brazil 1987113
198800
198900
199000
199153
199276
1993162
199493
199500
199600
199700
199810
Total4917

Honours

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São Paulo

Paris Saint-Germain

Brazil

Individual

Orders and special awards

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Europe's surprising challenge to the Latin game; The New York Times, 9 July 1994
  2. 1 2 3 Where are they now? Raí; The Guardian, 22 June 2008
  3. ↑ Após 100º de Ceni, Raí eleva goleiro ao posto de ídolo máximo do Tricolor (After Ceni's 100th goal, Raí raises goalkeeper to biggest idol position at the Tricolor); Globo Esporte, 28 March 2011 (in Portuguese)
  4. ↑ "50 ans du PSG : Raí élu meilleur joueur de l'histoire du club" (in French). 29 September 2020.
  5. ↑ "Raí meilleur joueur du PSG, devant Susic et Ronaldinho : De la difficulté de classer les légendes" (in French). 29 September 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Weir, Christopher (4 February 2020). "How Raí stepped out of brother Sócrates' shadow to become a Brazilian great". These Football Times. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  7. ↑ "South American Footballer of the Year Winners". FBref.com. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
  8. ↑ A match made in heaven; FIFA.com, 19 May 2010
  9. ↑ "PSG – Bastia 2–0, 03/05/95, Coupe de la Ligue 94–95". Archives Paris Football. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  10. ↑ "PSG – Strasbourg 1–0, 13/05/95, Coupe de France 94–95". Archives Paris Football. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  11. ↑ "PSG – Bordeaux 2–2 (4–2 tab), 04/04/98, Coupe de la Ligue 97–98". Archives Paris Football. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  12. ↑ "PSG – Lens 2–1, 02/05/98, Coupe de France 97–98". Archives Paris Football. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  13. ↑ "Vinte anos depois, Raí conta a história do título paulista de 1998: "Jogo mágico"". ge (in Portuguese). 8 May 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  14. ↑ "O título do Campeonato Paulista de 1998". São Paulo FC (in Portuguese). 10 May 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "Técnico dispensado ganha sem trabalhar". Folha de S.Paulo (in Portuguese). 13 September 1998. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  16. ↑ "Aposentadoria de Raí, viradas, tropeço... Relembre Copa dos Campeões histórica do Sport". ge (in Portuguese). 15 April 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  17. ↑ "Raí eterno". São Paulo FC (in Portuguese). 23 March 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  18. ↑ "Jorginho on Cafu competition & Zagallo's influence in 1994". FIFA. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  19. ↑ "Brazil's champions in stats". FIFA. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  20. ↑ Raí – FIFA competition record (archived)
  21. ↑ McCracken, Craig (12 February 2019). "PSG's long and sometimes successful relationship with Brazilian footballers". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  22. ↑ "Participação de Raí em Laços de Família choca usuários: 'Rolê aleatório'".
  23. ↑ "Institucional". Fundação Gol de Letra (in Portuguese). Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  24. ↑ "Sobre". Atletas pelo Brasil (in Portuguese). Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  25. ↑ "Linha do tempo". Atletas pelo Brasil (in Portuguese). Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  26. ↑ "Raí é o novo executivo de futebol do São Paulo". São Paulo FC (in Portuguese). 7 December 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  27. ↑ "Raí se despede do São Paulo: "Eu me dediquei com o mesmo comprometimento, luta e amor"". ge (in Portuguese). 2 February 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  28. ↑ Pruneta, Laurent (1 November 2024). "« C'est un beau projet, je suis content d'en faire partie » : Rai, ambassadeur de luxe du Paris FC". Le Parisien (in French). Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  29. ↑ "Meet the Footballer Raí, a New Graduate of Sciences Po Executive Education". Sciences Po. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  30. ↑ Geraldo, Nathália (30 March 2022). "Raí: 'Comparação com Sócrates poderia ter acabado com a minha carreira'". UOL (in Portuguese). Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  31. ↑ "South American Team of the Year". 16 January 2009. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  32. ↑ "IFFHS Awards 1992". 10 April 2020. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  33. ↑ Garin, Erik; Pierrend, José Luis (18 January 2018). "France – Footballer of the Year". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  34. ↑ "Raï, le chevalier brésilien du PSG". 14 December 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2020. (in French)
  35. ↑ "Doctorats Honoris Causa". 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020. (in French)
[edit]
  • Raí – French league stats at Ligue 1 – also available in French (archived)
  • Raí at National-Football-Teams.com
  • Raí at Sambafoot (archived)
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