São Paulo e Athletico Paranaense enter the field this Thursday (31), at 19:30 (Brasília time), in confrontation of round of 16 of the Brazilian Cup. The team has a weight of weight: goalkeeper Rafael.
The club chose to preserve the goalkeeper, who has been starting in the last 30 matches. Thus, Rafael was not related to the duel tonight and is not even in the reserve bench.
Absolute holder of São Paulo Since 2023, Rafael has been considered one of the pillars of the team led by coach Luís Zubeldía. The player has 36 games this season.
MORE: São Paulo x Athletico: Link to watch free online game (07/31)
Rafael in São Paulo
Rafael arrived at São Paulo In 2023, after passages by Cruzeiro and Atlético-MG, clubs for which he had not stood out. In Tricolor, however, he quickly took over and was important in winning the Brazilian Cup. In 2024, it was decisive, with two penalty shootout, in the Brazilian Super Cup title, against Palmeiras.
In his first year at Tricolor, Rafael equaled Waldir Peres and joined the group of goalkeepers who got more games without conceding goals in the same season: it was not leaked in 32 matches in 2023.
| Season | Team | Games |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | São Paulo | 36 |
| 2024 | São Paulo | 51 |
| 2023 | São Paulo | 66 |
| Total | — | 153 |
São Paulo x Athletico: time and where to watch
- Brazil Cup – Eighth Final (Ida)
- Data: Thursday, July 31, 2025
- Time: 7:30 pm (from Brasilia)
- Local: Morumbis, Sao Paulo (SP)
- Transmission: Prime Video (streaming)
Probable lineups of São Paulo and Athletico
Probable São Paulo lineup: Rafael; Alan Franco, Arboleda and Sabino; Cédric Soares (Maik), Bobadilla (Pablo Maia), Alisson, Marcos Antônio (Rodriguinho) and Wendell; Luciano (Ferreira) and André Silva. Technical: Hernán Crespo.
Likely athletic lineup: Santos; Kauã Moraes, Belezi, Habraão, Leo and Fernando (João Cruz); Felipinho, Patrick (Giuliano) and Zapelli; Mendoza and Viveros (Alan Kardec). Technical: Odair Hellmann.
