Rafa Silva

Rafa Silva of Benfica was born in Barreiro, Portugal on 17 May 1993 (age 33).

Rafa Silva, born on 17 May 1993 (age 33), is a Portuguese forward whose career has been shaped overwhelmingly by his long spell at Benfica.

He has made 229 league appearances for Benfica across 10 seasons, scoring 70 league goals. His sharpest league campaign came in 2018-19, when he scored 17 times in 26 appearances – the kind of return that explains why his Benfica years carry far more weight than the rest of the CV.

In 2026-27, Silva has one goal in seven Liga Portugal appearances, with three more goals in four Europa League qualifying games. That gives him 11 appearances and four goals for Benfica across competitions this season.

Silva’s profile is straightforward: a Portuguese striker with a long, productive Benfica career, built on steady involvement and a respectable scoring record rather than noise around the edges.

📈 Key stats and insights

Rafa Silva is 33 and plays as a striker for Benfica

Rafa Silva has started seven Liga Portugal matches, scoring 1 goal

Rafa Silva has 3 goals in 4 Europa League Qualifiers appearances

Rafa Silva averages a 7.16 rating this season with a high of 7.58 and a low of 6.67

Rafa Silva rejoined Benfica for €4,300,000 in January 2026

Last updated 1 October 2026. Send feedback

Rafa Silva stats

Check out all of the statistics about Rafa Silva.

Striker
Primary Position: Forward
Position

Rafa Silva

ST

1.72m (5ft 7in)
Height: 27
Squad Number: 66kg (10st 5lb)
Weight: 17 May 1993 (age 33)
Date of Birth: Barreiro
Birthplace: Portugal 🇵🇹
Country of Birth: Benfica
Team

📊 Season stats

Team: Benfica
Liga Portugal 2026 - 2027
Games: 9
Starting: 9
Substitute: -
Unused: -
Utilisation: 100%
Goals: 1
Yellows: -
Reds: -

Team: Benfica
Europa League Qualifiers 2026 - 2027
Games: 4
Starting: 4
Substitute: -
Unused: 2
Utilisation: 67%
Goals: 3
Yellows: -
Reds: -

Team: Benfica
Europa League 2026 - 2027
Games: 1
Starting: 1
Substitute: -
Unused: 2
Utilisation: 33%
Goals: -
Yellows: -
Reds: -

In Liga Portugal 2026 - 2027 Rafa Silva has started all seven league matches, scoring one goal, while he has three goals in four Europa League Qualifiers appearances – the split suggests he is being used as a regular starter domestically and a more efficient scorer in continental qualifying ties.

🔥 Recent form

Last 4 appearances for Rafa Silva.

Season average rating: 7.07

Match: Omonia Nicosia 1-4 Benfica
22 Oct 2026 (A)
Mins: 69
Goals: -
Rating: 6.5

Match: Benfica 4-1 Celtic
15 Oct 2026 (H)
Mins: -
Goals: -
Rating: -

Match: AC Milan 0-2 Benfica
16 Sep 2026 (A)
Mins: -
Goals: -
Rating: -

Match: AGF 1-3 Benfica
27 Aug 2026 (A)
Mins: 65
Goals: 1
Rating: 7.2

Rafa Silva carries a season average rating of 7.16 with a high of 7.58 and a low of 6.67 – a spread of 0.91 that points to generally consistent performances across his appearances this campaign.

📋 Career stats

Team: Benfica
Season 2026 - 2027
Country: Portugal 🇵🇹
Games: 9
Goals: 1

Team: Benfica
Season 2025 - 2026
Country: Portugal 🇵🇹
Games: 16
Goals: 5

Team: Besiktas
Season 2025 - 2026
Country: Turkey 🇹🇷
Games: 10
Goals: 5

Team: Besiktas
Season 2024 - 2025
Country: Turkey 🇹🇷
Games: 35
Goals: 12

Team: Benfica
Season 2023 - 2024
Country: Portugal 🇵🇹
Games: 30
Goals: 14

Team: Benfica
Season 2022 - 2023
Country: Portugal 🇵🇹
Games: 28
Goals: 8

Team: Benfica
Season 2021 - 2022
Country: Portugal 🇵🇹
Games: 28
Goals: 8

Team: Benfica
Season 2020 - 2021
Country: Portugal 🇵🇹
Games: 29
Goals: 5

Team: Benfica
Season 2019 - 2020
Country: Portugal 🇵🇹
Games: 25
Goals: 7

Team: Benfica
Season 2018 - 2019
Country: Portugal 🇵🇹
Games: 26
Goals: 17

Team: Benfica
Season 2017 - 2018
Country: Portugal 🇵🇹
Games: 20
Goals: 3

Team: SC Braga
Season 2016 - 2017
Country: Portugal 🇵🇹
Games: 1
Goals: -

Team: Benfica
Season 2016 - 2017
Country: Portugal 🇵🇹
Games: 20
Goals: 2

Team: SC Braga
Season 2016 - 2017
Country: Portugal 🇵🇹
Games: 1
Goals: -

Team: SC Braga
Season 2015 - 2016
Country: Portugal 🇵🇹
Games: 30
Goals: 8

Team: SC Braga
Season 2014 - 2015
Country: Portugal 🇵🇹
Games: 34
Goals: 2

Team: SC Braga
Season 2013 - 2014
Country: Portugal 🇵🇹
Games: 23
Goals: 3

Rafa Silva is 33 and plays as a striker for Benfica; his career path moved from a transfer to SC Braga in July 2013 to Benfica in August 2016, followed by a free move to Besiktas in July 2024 and a January 2026 return to Benfica for €4,300,000 – a trajectory that includes domestic development, a spell abroad and a paid repatriation.

💰 Transfers

Team: Benfica
22 January 2026
From: Besiktas
Type: Fee (£4.3m)

Team: Besiktas
1 July 2024
From: Benfica
Type: Free Transfer

Team: Benfica
31 August 2016
From: SC Braga
Type: Undisclosed

Team: SC Braga
1 July 2013
Type: Signed

Key moves include a transfer from SC Braga to Benfica in August 2016 for an undisclosed fee, a free transfer from Benfica to Besiktas in July 2024, and a January 2026 return to Benfica for €4,300,000 – the sequence indicates a return to his former club for a fee after an outward free move.

Rafa Silva news

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