Fali (footballer, born 1986)

For other people with the same nickname, see Fali.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Romero and the second or maternal family name is Serrano.

Rafael Romero Serrano (born 22 February 1986), known as Fali, is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a right back.

Fali

Personal information
Full name	Rafael Romero Serrano
Date of birth	(1986-02-22) 22 February 1986 (age 39)
Place of birth	Córdoba, Spain
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Right back
Youth career
	Córdoba
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2004–2006	Córdoba B
2005–2006	Córdoba	11	(0)
2006–2007	Barcelona C	27	(0)
2007–2008	Barcelona B	14	(0)
2008	Barcelona	1	(0)
2008–2009	Terrassa	11	(0)
2009–2012	Écija	75	(1)
Total		139	(1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Córdoba

Born in Córdoba, Andalusia, Fali began his career at local Córdoba CF, starting out as a senior with the reserves. He made his professional debut with the first team on 27 March 2005, as a substitute in a goalless home draw against Sporting de Gijón in the Segunda División;^[1] it was his sole appearance of the season, which ended with relegation.

Fali appeared in ten more matches for the main squad, all in the following campaign's Segunda División B.

Barcelona

Fali joined FC Barcelona in 2006, playing initially in their C and B sides. On 11 May 2008 he was included in the first team's matchday squad for the first time, remaining unused in a 3–2 defeat to RCD Mallorca at the Camp Nou.^[2] He made his only appearance for the Blaugrana six days later, coming on as a substitute for Lilian Thuram for the final 19 minutes of a 5–3 win at Real Murcia which concluded the season.^[3]

Later years

In the summer of 2008, Fali signed with third-tier club Terrassa FC. The following year, he moved to Écija Balompié of the same league.^[4]

Fali scored the only goal of his career on 28 February 2010, the 94th-minute sole strike in an away victory over Moratalla CF.^[5]