Mohammed Rafi (footballer)

Mohammed Rafi (born 24 May 1982) is an Indian professional footballer who currently plays for Kerala Blasters as a striker in the Indian Super League.

Mohammed Rafi
Personal information
Full name Mohammed Rafi
Date of birth (1982-05-24) 24 May 1982
Place of birth Kasaragod, Kerala, India
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position(s) Forward
Club information
Current team
 Kerala Blasters
Number 20
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2005 SBT 20 (12)
2006–2010 Mahindra United 30 (17)
2010–2012 Churchill Brothers 8 (2)
2013 Mumbai Tigers 10 (3)
2013–2015 Mumbai 20 (2)
2014 → Atletico de Kolkata (loan) 10 (0)
2015–2016 Kerala Blasters 22 (6)
2017–2018 Chennaiyin 12 (2)
2019– Kerala Blasters 2 (0)
National team‡
2009– India 7 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 04:20, 7 November 2018 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 November 2014

Club

Mohammed Rafi came through the ranks of SBT which had distinction of fielding not only all-Indian but also all-Malayali squad. SBT was promoted to first division of National Football League in 2004 and in that season he scored 4 goals and came into limelight. Unfortunately, SBT got relegated but he was roped in by Mahindra United for the next season.

In 09-10 I-league, he finished the season with record 14 goals, which is best ever for an Indian striker, he was also adjudged Mahindra United's player of the year.[1]

Rafi's example was followed by his younger brothers Mohammad Shafi, who played for Viva Kerala FC and Mohammad Razi, with KSEB.[2]

Mumbai

On 24 November 2013 it was announced that Rafi has signed for Mumbai on loan from IMG Reliance with three other players Khelemba Singh, N.P. Pradeep and Peter Costa.[3] He made his debut on 2 December 2013 against East Bengal F.C. at the Balewadi Sports Complex in which he played the whole match as Mumbai won the match 3-2.[4]

DSK Shivajians

After having a good season with Kerala Blasters in the 2015 Indian Super League season, Rafi joined DSK Shivajians, which gained a place in the league through bidding a direct entry slot, for the 2015-16 I-League season.

Indian Super League

Rafi played for Atletico de Kolkata in the inaugural season. The team owned by Sourav Ganguly and Atletico de Madrid in Indian Super League (ISL).[5]

Rafi was signed by Kerala Blasters FC for the second season of Indian Super League. He scored on his debut, the second goal of the match against North East United and also set up Sanchez Watt's goal.[6]

He won ISL Emerging Player of the Match award against NorthEast United FC in 2015 Indian Super League.

He was again signed by Kerala Blasters FC for the Third Season of Indian Super League (ISL), which is expected to kick start on 1 October 2016.

Mohammed Rafi became the third Indian to score a goal in the ISL final 2016, following Mohammed Rafique for Atletico de Kolkata in 2014, and Thongkhosiem Haokip for FC Goa in 2015.

In ISL 2017 rafi is playing for Chennaiyin FC(ISL 2015 champions). He scored goal in his first match against North East united on 23 November 2017. In the 2018-19 season, he played 8 games for Chennaiyin without scoring a league goal. He also played 6 games and scored 3 goals in the AFC Cup.

In the 2019-20 season, he rejoined Kerala Blasters.

International

Rafi also represented India number of times and scored a goal against Kuwait but India lost that match 1-9.[7]

International goals
GoalDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
114 November 2010Al-Wahda Stadium, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E Kuwait1–71-9Friendly

Honours

Club
Atlético de Kolkata
Kerala Blasters
Chennaiyin FC

Individual

References
  1. "I League: Rafi is Mahindra United's Player Of The Season - Kerala football news". Archived from the original on 8 April 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  2. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/others/rafi-makes-soccer-pay-262
  3. "Mumbai FC sign four IMG-Reliance contracted players on loan". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  4. "Mumbai vs. East Bengal 3-2". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  5. "ISL - Indian Super League - Atlético de Kolkata". Archived from the original on 20 September 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  6. "ISL - Indian Super League - Kerala Blasters FC". Archived from the original on 20 September 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  7. "Indian football team suffer humiliating 1-9 defeat to Kuwait - Zee News". zeenews.india.com. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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