Raí

Brazilian attacking midfielder who captained Brazil in the group stage of the 1994 World Cup and starred for Paris Saint-Germain.

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Raí Souza Vieira de Oliveira (born 15 May 1965), known mononymously as Raí, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. The younger brother of former Brazil captain Sócrates, Raí also captained the Brazil national team and was part of the squad that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He spent most of his 15-year career with São Paulo and Paris Saint-Germain, winning 10 major titles and scoring nearly 100 goals across the two clubs. Raí is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Paris Saint-Germain's history.

Quick Facts

Full name: Raí Souza Vieira de Oliveira
Born: 15 May 1965
Birthplace: Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
Height: 1.89 m / 6 ft 2 in
Position: Attacking midfielder

Lore & Background

Raí entered the 1994 FIFA World Cup as Brazil's captain and number 10, and was described in the British press as the team's 'poster boy' before the tournament. He captained the Seleção during the group stage, scoring a penalty in the opening match, a 2–0 win against Russia. Raí subsequently lost his place in the starting line-up ahead of the knockout stage, with Dunga taking over the captaincy. He appeared as a substitute against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals and Sweden in the semi-finals, as Brazil went on to win the tournament.

Reader's Guide

Raí joined Paris Saint-Germain in June 1993 for US$4.6 million, remaining with São Paulo until the end of the year. He contributed six goals in 28 Ligue 1 games as PSG won the national championship for the second time in its history. He helped PSG to the following season's French Cup, and was on target in the League Cup final against SC Bastia (2–0). He also reached the semi-finals of the 1994–95 UEFA Champions League with PSG. Raí proved essential as PSG won the 1996 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, scoring twice in a 3–1 home win against Parma, after a 1–0 away loss. He also appeared in the final against SK Rapid Wien, and scored three seasons in double digits during his five-season spell. In 1997–98 he scored in both the Coupe de la Ligue final and the Coupe de France final against Bordeaux and Lens respectively as PSG won both games.

Did You Know?

Raí scored both goals in São Paulo's 2–1 victory over Barcelona in the 1992 Intercontinental Cup in Tokyo.
He was named South American Footballer of the Year in 1992.
Raí co-founded the Fundação Gol de Letra with former teammate Leonardo in December 1998.
In July 2022, Raí became a shareholder and ambassador of Paris FC.