Early years Born in Santa Marinha,
Seia,
Guarda District, Ramos started out his career with
Sporting CP before being released in 2012. He then joined
Real S.C. for one year before moving to
S.L. Benfica's youth system in 2013, where he joined the
under-19 squad. He was part of the squad that competed in the
2013–14 UEFA Youth League. On 5 May 2014, Ramos signed a contract to stay with Benfica until 2020.
Orlando City in 2014 On 8 July 2014, Ramos and Benfica teammate
Estrela were transferred to
Orlando City SC of the
USL Pro, the third level of the
United States soccer league system, on 3-year professional contracts as part of an affiliation between the two clubs. The contracts would include the remainder of the
2014 USL Pro season before the team joined
Major League Soccer in 2015. The pair made their professional debuts on 23 August against
Richmond Kickers, in which Ramos scored a 70th-minute winner in a 3–2 away victory. Head coach
Adrian Heath said of them after the game, "I thought that the two new players (Estrela and Ramos) were outstanding, considering that they haven't played for two or three weeks. Their contribution was massive..." Ramos played in Orlando's first MLS game on 8 March 2015, a 1–1 home draw with fellow
expansion team New York City FC. He was
sent off twice over the season, for a foul on
Waylon Francis in a 3–0 loss at
Columbus Crew on 19 April, and a 36th-minute challenge on
Justin Morrow in a 5–0 loss at
Toronto FC on 22 August. He totalled 39 MLS appearances for Orlando and
assisted five goals.
Chicago Fire On 18 January 2018, Ramos was traded to Chicago Fire in exchange for the rights to
Cameron Lindley and $100,000 of Targeted Allocation Money. He made his debut on 17 March in a 2–1 loss at
Minnesota United FC, one of only five games during his time in
Illinois, three in the league and two in the
U.S. Open Cup. Later that day, Dutch team
FC Twente signed him on a one-year contract with the option of a second. He helped the team win the
2018–19 Eerste Divisie title and promotion back to the
Eredivisie.
Santa Clara On 2 July 2019, Ramos returned to his native Portugal to sign with
C.D. Santa Clara of the
Primeira Liga.
Corinthians On 12 April 2022, Ramos went to Brazil to sign a two-year deal with
Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, under compatriot manager
Vítor Pereira.{{cite web |title=Corinthians anuncia a contratação do lateral-direito português Rafael Ramos ==Personal life==