Rafael Dias

Rafaël Dias plays in the midfielder role for FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. He was born on 29 January 1991 in Covilhã, Portugal.

The player’s youth career started in 1996 when he joined FC 4 Rivières 70 youth team. He studied at the football academy and starred for the club’s youth team at the same time. As a part of the youth team squad Rafaël participated in the youth championship and the Taça de Portugal. In 2003 Sochaux set their sights on a young midfielder. In the same year he went through the trial at French club and was offered a place at their football academy so as to continue his development at a higher level. A Portuguese player was awarded the future of which dreams every junior. In 2003 Dias was officially admitted to Sochaux youth academy where he studied for seven years until his promoted to the senior team.

In 2010 the club’s management appreciated the efforts and potential of a young midfielder offering him a lasting contract. He was glad to the opportunity of playing in Ligue 1, gaining valuable experience and becoming a professional footballer. In the summer of the same year Rafaël signed a contract according to which he is now bound to the club. The head coach rarely entrusts Dias a place in the major team squad due to a strong competition within the team. However the Portuguese is actively training as the desire to become the best does not allow him to stop at what has been accomplished.

Since 2005 till 2007 the midfielder represented France at U-15 and U-16 levels appearing in 6 matches and scoring 2 goals. From 2010 till 2011 he starred for the Portugal national U-20 team.