Rafael Donato (footballer)

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Ferreira and the second or paternal family name is Donato.

Rafael Ferreira Donato (born 17 March 1989) is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a centre-back for Grêmio Novorizontino.

Rafael Donato

Donato in 2023
Personal information
Full name	Rafael Ferreira Donato
Date of birth	(1989-03-17) 17 March 1989 (age 36)
Place of birth	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s)	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	Grêmio Novorizontino
Number	3
Youth career
2002–2007	Botafogo
2008	Palmeiras
2008–2009	Audax Rio
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2009–2011	Audax Rio	7	(0)
2012	Bahia	32	(6)
2012–2017	Cruzeiro	11	(2)
2013	→ Bahia (loan)	10	(1)
2014	→ Criciúma (loan)	5	(1)
2015–2016	→ Joinville (loan)	39	(4)
2017–2018	União da Madeira	2	(0)
2018–2019	Al-Kawkab	0	(0)
2020	Brasiliense	7	(1)
2020–2023	Vila Nova	160	(17)
2024–	Grêmio Novorizontino	54	(3)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 11 August 2025

Career

On 24 November 2017, having gone nearly a year since playing his last game for Joinville, Donato joined LigaPro side União da Madeira on a deal until the end of the season.^[1]

Honours

Audax Rio

• Copa Rio: 2010

Bahia

• Campeonato Baiano: 2012