RAFAEL: 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL REVIEWED

Brazilian fullback Rafael da Silva didn’t win the Champions League trophy during his time at Manchester United. He spent seven years in the first team, but didn’t manage to win the trophy though he reached the final with the club on two occasions.


Rafael da Silva was in the Manchester United youth system when they won the Champions League final by beating Premier League rivals Chelsea on penalties in 2008. The two teams had to settle for the dreaded penalty shootout after they were inseparable at the end of extra time. Cristiano Ronaldo had given Manchester United the lead before it was cancelled out by Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard in the first half. Frenchman Nicholas Anelka was the recipient of the missed spot kick in sudden death of penalty shootout for Chelsea thus giving Manchester United the Champions League trophy. Rafael da Silva missed out on the Manchester United first team during the second half of the 2007/08 season as he had not turn 18. He was eligible to play for the Manchester United first team in the summer of 2008 at the age of 18.

Brazilian star Rafael was in the Manchester United team when they reached the Champions League final in 2009 and 2011. For the 2009 final in Rome, the fullback was an unused substitute as Samuel Eto’o and the great Lionel Messi scored either side of the break to give Barcelona a 2-0 win over his team. Manchester United conceded the opener to Eto’o inside ten minutes before Messi added the clinching goal for the Catalans on 70 minutes. The result in Rome sealed a third European title for Barcelona.

It was also a Barcelona and Manchester United final in 2011 in London, but Rafael da Silva was not in the United squad as Barcelona ran out 3-1 winners for their fourth European title.

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