Raffael (36) played his last competitive game as a professional on June 27, 2020 in the Gladbach jersey against Hertha (2: 1).
After that, the “Maestro” (201 games for Borussia / 71 goals) was without a club for 16 months. Now he finally celebrated a comeback in Slovakia.
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On Saturday Raffael made his first appearance in the first Slovak class (“Fortuna Liga”) for FK Pohronie: In the 1: 2 against Zilina he was allowed to play 17 minutes as a joker – but he could not (yet) prevent the ninth season bust .
Raffael to BILD: “It was still fun, the league is good. The teams try to play football – I like that. “
His ex-coach Lucien Favre (64), with whom the contact was never broken even after his time at Borussia, helped ensure that the Brazilian now kicks in Slovakia. Raffael (who played under Favre in Zurich, Berlin and Gladbach) reveals: “Lucien and his son Loic called me and asked if I would like to come to Pohronie.”
Background: Favre’s son Loic (38) is sports director and co-owner of the Slovak club – for whom Raffael wants to score as important goals soon as he has done so far at all stations in his career.
Raffael, who commutes to his family in Jüchen between games: “Soon I’ll be able to play 90 minutes and help out.”
That is sorely needed – his new club is last in the league after 14 matchdays …