Raphael Augusto

Known to his fans in India as Raphael Augusto, Raphael Augusto Santos da Silva is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Chennaiyin FC in ISL in the central midfield position. Once in a while, he takes over defensive and attacking midfielder roles as well. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Augusto is the son of a taxi driver and a nurse.

Like any typical Brazilian kid, he picked up football at a very early age. He started his professional carrier when he represented U-20 side for the top tier Brazil club, Fluminense. This acquaintance was temporary and only lasted for a few matches. It was in 2009 that he became a part of the club team. His debut match for Fluminense was in Campeonato Carioca, an annual football championship of Rio de Janeiro against Boavista in April 2009 as a 73rd-minute substitution.

His first Brazilian League match was against Santos, four months later, where he came in as a 57th-minute substitute. Augusto has played for different clubs in different countries on loan in years spanning his term with Fluminense. He played for Carioca in 2011, before a short stint with Brazilian Series B side Duque de Caxias, which ended in 2012. Throughout 2012, the midfielder played for teams like America-RN and DC United, making on total 17 appearances in the year.

He continued with DC United until he joined Legia Warsaw in 2013. In 2015, he played on loan for Madureira for awhile before Chennaiyin FC loaned him later the same year. It is in the Chennai-based team, did he receive the glory he deserved. His outstanding performance in the 2015 ISL season led to the team lifting its first ISL championship cup. Knowing his value, the team’s then manager and head coach, Marco Materazzi, signed him for the 2016-17 season.

Though the team’s performance was in shambles that year, his tenure extended through a two-year contract that ends in 2019. His exceptional performance in the 2017-18 ISL season once again led the club to lift the trophy anew. In the three years that he has been a part of the league, he has not only risen to be a top player and a fan favorite but also has received several personal awards for his performances.

Though he is a star in the eyes of his fans, he is humble and feels that he loses if the team loses, regardless of his performance in the game. On many occasions, he has conveyed about his special bond with the Chennai and India. Though he aspires to play in Europe in future, his main focus currently is on Chennaiyin FC.