Mohammed Rafi is a former Indian professional footballer. Raffi played mainly as a centre-forward or striker during his career and had the quality to be used anywhere in the forward line. He was famous for his aerial abilities and scored some great goals in the I-League and Indian Super League. Rafi’s nickname ‘Head Master’ is fitting for the experienced striker, who possesses exceptional aerial abilities.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Mohammed Rafi Madambilath was born on Monday, 24 May 1982 (age 41 years; as of 2023) in Trikaripur, Kasaragod. He completed his schooling from Government Vocational Higher Secondary School (GVHSS) in Thrikkarippur, Kerala. After this he took admission in Calicut University. When Rafi was 14 years old, he participated in a football trial match organized in his school, which made him fall in love with the game. According to Rafi, Ramakrishnan Master and Najeeb sir are the people who introduced him to professional football. Ramakrishnan Master was his school team coach, who saw his potential and talent and encouraged him to participate in football trials, while Najeeb was the head coach of the SBT club, who groomed him as a professional footballer. This was the beginning of Rafi’s journey as a professional footballer. Rafi worked hard and entered the State Bank of Travancore Football Club. He made headlines in 2004 after scoring four goals for State Bank of Travancore in the National Football League. His last appearance as a professional footballer was in the Indian Super League (ISL) in which he played for Kerala Blasters.
Mohammed Rafi is training with Kerala Blasters
Physical Appearance
Height (Approx): 5′ 9″
Hair Color: Black
Eye colour: black
Family
Mohammed Rafi belongs to a Muslim family in Trikaripur, Kasaragod, Kerala.
parents and siblings
Mohammed Rafi’s father’s name is KKP Abdullah and mother’s name is Zubaida.
Mohammad Rafi with his parents
He has one sister and two brothers. His younger twin brothers, Mohammad Shafi and Mohammad Rasi, followed in Mohammad Rafi’s footsteps and became professional football players. Rasi played for KSEB (Kerala State Electricity Board); Shafi followed Rafi’s path and played for State Bank of Travancore Football Club (SBT).
Mohammed Rafi with his sister and his family
Mohammed Rafi playing with his brothers Shafi (left) and Rasi (right)
wife and children
He married Shifa Rafi on 2 June 2013. They have a son, Hamdan, and a daughter, Hadimolu.
Mohammad Rafi with his family
Religion
He follows Islam.
signature/autograph
Mohammed Rafi’s signature
livelihood
soccer
His journey as a professional footballer began through the youth ranks of the State Bank of Travancore Football Club (SBT). Rafi subsequently established himself as one of the best Indian footballers to play in the National Football League and I-League. His professional football career as a player spanned over 18 years, making his debut with State Bank of Travancore Football Club and making his last appearance for Cochin-based Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters. He was a part of the first season of the Indian Super League and remained in the competition until the 2019–2020 season. He won the Indian Super League winners’ trophy twice while playing for Atlético de Kolkata in 2014 and Chennaiyin FC in 2017; He played three ISL finals.
domestic league
State Bank of Travancore Football Club
Mohammed Rafi started his career in the youth section of State Bank of Travancore Football Club. He began his journey with the club and gradually established himself in the first eleven. In the 2004–2005 season, SBT were promoted to the National Football League, and Rafi had a good season, receiving praise from across the country for his goalscoring abilities. SBT were relegated from the National Football League in the 2005–2006 season and Mahindra United successfully convinced Mohammed Rafi to join them at the end of the season.
Mohammed Rafi with SBT football team
Mahindra United
Rafi joined Mahindra United during the 2006–2007 season after his former club was relegated from the National League. He joined them with a reputation for scoring goals and being a lethal player in the final third. Rafi developed his game and emerged as a key player for the team, making a difference in important matches for his club. He established himself as a Mahindra United fans’ favorite and had a huge fan following in Mumbai and Kerala. The 2009–2010 season became a personal milestone for Mohammed Rafi as he joined the list of Indian footballers who scored more than ten goals in an I-League season. He scored 14 goals for Mahindra United and was named Mahindra United’s Player of the Year for his phenomenal season. Mahindra United’s management announced in 2010 that the club would be disbanded after the 2009–2010 season. After five successful seasons with the club, which saw him emerge as a key player in the team, it was time for Rafi to change colours. He expressed sadness at the management’s decision to disband the club after leaving it.
Churchill Brothers
Mohammed Rafi joined Churchill Brothers in 2010 after enjoying a great season with his former club Mahindra United in the 2009–2010 season. This deal led to Mohammed Rafi and the Churchill Brothers becoming a hot topic in transfer news across India. Several other clubs were trying to sign the Indian forward, but he joined Churchill Brothers in the 2010–2011 season and continued playing for them until the end of the 2011–2012 season.
Mumbai Tigers
Mohammed Rafi returned to Mumbai with Mumbai Tigers in the 2012–2013 season. The newly founded club promised to become the next big thing, but a week before the start of the 2013–2014 I-League season, the club was eliminated from the competition.
mumbai fc
Rafi joined Mumbai FC in the 2013–2014 season. He made his debut on 2 December 2013 in a 3–2 win against East Bengal FC. He completed his loan transfer from Mumbai FC to Atlético de Kolkata in 2014 to participate in the Indian Super League.
Atlético de Kolkata
In 2014, India saw the birth of the Indian Super League. During the inaugural season of the ISL, Mohammed Rafi played for Atlético de Kolkata. Rafi won the inaugural championship with Atlético de Kolkata, defeating Kerala Blasters in the final. Rafi left Atlético de Kolkata to join Kerala Blasters after the first season of the ISL.
Mohammad Rafi with ISL trophy
Kerala Blasters
Kerala Blasters fans gave him a hero’s welcome when his transfer to join the club was announced. He scored in his first match for his new club, and they finished second in the 2015–2016 season after losing on penalties against his former club Atlético de Kolkata. In 2016, he became the third Indian to score in an ISL final. He left Kerala Blasters at the end of the 2016 season. He returned to Kerala Blasters in the 2019–2020 season of the Indian Super League. However, injuries limited his appearances and he had to watch his team play from the sidelines. Mohammed Rafi’s final season as a professional player was also the 2019–2020 season. The experienced striker was released at the end of the season and has not played for any other club since.
Mohammed Rafi is playing for Kerala Blasters
DSK Shivajians
Rafi’s stellar season with Kerala Blasters attracted I-League club DSK Shivajians to complete the contract with him. After finishing the Indian Super League with Kerala Blasters he played for the Pune-based team for the 2015–2016 season.
Chennaiyin FC
Rafi joined Chennaiyin FC in the 2017–2018 season of the Indian Super League after playing for Kerala Blasters. His performances in the first season earned him a contract extension with the club for the following season. In his first season with Chennaiyin FC, Rafi won his second Indian Super League title. He failed to replicate his form from the title-winning season and was released by the club at the end of the 2018–2019 season.
Mohammed Rafi is playing for Chennaiyin FC in the ISL
International career
Mohammad Rafi received his first international call up after a memorable 2009–2010 I-League campaign. The forward was at the peak of his career and was selected to represent his country. He joins fellow Keralites like IM Vijayan and Joe Paul Anchery who have represented the Indian national football team. Rafi’s international career was short-lived as he could only represent his country in a few matches. He made his debut against Thailand in an international friendly game on 04-09-2010, and all his appearances for the Indian national football team came between 2010 and 2011.
Controversy
Mohammed Rafi was heavily trolled by Brazilian fans and Neymar fans after the former Indian international commented on Neymar Jr overacting whenever an opponent fouls him. He was commentating the Brazil vs Croatia match during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 along with his friend and Indian international Rino Anto. The story went viral, and Brazilian football team supporters and Neymar fans from Kerala became angry and expressed their dislike. He later apologized and insisted that he did not intend to insult the Brazilian and that it was a friendly joke between him and Rino Anto.
car collection
He owns a Toyota Innova Crysta and an Audi Q5.
Mohammed Rafi with his Innova
Mohammed Rafi with his Audi
Facts/General Knowledge
- In his 51 appearances in the Indian Super League, Rafi never received a card.
- In 2010, he was named Mahindra United Player of the Season.
- He scored 14 goals in the 2009–2010 season of the I-League, a record for an Indian player.
- He supported Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and wanted Lionel Messi to win the World Cup.
- As a professional footballer Mohammed Rafi played in the following jersey numbers; 9, 11, 12, 14, 33, and 20. Since the 2014/2015 season, he played in jersey number 20 until he retired.
- He was announced as part of the regional commentary panel for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 by ViaCom18 for the Indian audience. He was also joined by his former teammates like Rino Anto and Joe Paul Ancheri.
- In an interview he revealed the name of his favorite football player Lionel Messi.
- Mohammed Rafi is the Director of Al Aman Build Mart Pvt. Ltd. The company was inaugurated on 18 May 2017. It is located at Eripuram, Pazhayangady, Kannur, Kerala.
Al Aman Build Mart Private Limited
- He follows a non-vegetarian diet.
Mohammed Rafi is eating chicken.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn