Defender Rafaelle has agreed a new contract with Orlando Pride that will keep her with the club through the 2028 NWSL season.
“Since arriving at our club, Rafaelle has proven to be an exceptional leader both on the pitch and in the locker room,” said Haley Carter, the club’s vice-president of soccer operations and sporting director, in a statement issued to media.
“She’s one of the best centre backs in the world, and her experience, composure under pressure, and tactical awareness have been instrumental in strengthening our backline. Securing her commitment through 2028 is a major statement as we continue building a championship-calibre squad for Orlando.”
Rafaelle has helped the Pride to secure consecutive play-off appearances for the first time ever. Now 34, she made her debut for the club in August 2023, scoring against Chicago Stars, and has since made 29 appearances across all competitions. Notably, the Pride are unbeaten in 21 of the 26 regular season matches in which Rafaelle has played, winning 16 of those matches.
Rafaelle: her career so far
The Brazil international spent 18 months with Arsenal, signing for them in January 2022, making 35 appearances and scoring four goals, helping them to the 2023 Conti Cup (now the Subway Women’s League Cup).
Her then-coach Jonas Eidevall said at the time: “Her international experience, technical ability and leadership qualities make her an important signing for us.”
She has also had spells with Palmeiras (2021-22), winning the 2021 Copa Paulista, Changchun Zhuoyue in China (2016-21), and began her professional career in the USA in 2014 with the Houston Dash. She had spent her college years at the University of Mississippi, currently ranking second in school history in career points (108) and goals (44), as well as single-season points (33) and goals (22).
Internationally, she has represented her country in multiple FIFA Women’s World Cups (in Canada in 2015 and in Australia and New Zealand in 2023) and three Olympic Games (2016, 2020 and 2024).
Orlando Pride: their 2025 NWSL season
After winning last year’s play-off final, Orlando Pride are currently third in the NWSL ahead of the last match of the regular season this weekend. They have won 11 of their 25 matches in the league, and have a goal difference of plus five.
They play fourth-placed Seattle Reign – who are one point behind them in the table – on Sunday, 2nd November.
They failed to progress from the group stage of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup earlier in the month.
