Rafael Silva started his professional football career with
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side
Coritiba in the
2012 league season. He would make his debut on 8 April 2012 against
Cianorte in the
Campeonato Paranaense in a 3–1 victory. He made his debut for the club in a 2–0 away loss to
Sanfrecce Hiroshima on 20 September 2014. He scored his first goal for the club against
Kawasaki Frontale on 5 October. After three seasons with Albirex Niigata he would move to another Japanese club in
Urawa Red Diamonds where in his debut season he immediately established himself as a vital member of the team that went on to win the
2017 AFC Champions League. On 3 February 2018, Rafael transferred to second tier Chinese football club
Wuhan Zall. He would make his debut and score his first goal for the club on 11 March 2018 in a league game against
Shanghai Shenxin in a 1–0 victory. He would go on to establish himself as a vital member of the team and he would win the division as well as gaining promotion at the end of the
2018 China League One campaign. ==Career statistics==