Rafita (footballer, born 2004)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Rafael Garrido Hierro | ||
| Date of birth | 9 November 2004 | ||
| Place of birth | Vélez-Málaga, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||
| Position | Right-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Málaga B | ||
| Number | 11 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2018–2020 | Puerto Malagueño | ||
| 2020–2021 | Francisco Castejón | ||
| 2021–2022 | San Félix | ||
| 2022–2023 | Málaga | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2023– | Málaga B | 68 | (5) |
| 2025– | Málaga | 1 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 5 October 2025 | |||
Rafael Garrido Hierro (born 9 November 2004), commonly known as Rafita, is a Spanish footballer who plays as a right-back for Atlético Malagueño.
Career
Born in Vélez-Málaga, Málaga, Andalusia, Rafita began his career with CD Puerto Malagueño and played for hometown side EF Francisco Castejón before joining Málaga CF's youth structure in 2021, albeit initially playing for affiliate side CD San Félix.[1] Promoted to Málaga's reserves ahead of the 2023–24 season, he made his senior debut on 10 September 2023, starting in a 0–0 Tercera Federación home draw against UD Almería B.
Rafita scored his first senior goal on 13 October 2024, netting Malagueño's opener in a 5–0 home routing of CF Motril,[2] and finished the campaign as a first-choice as the B-side achieved promotion to Segunda Federación as group champions. He made his first team debut on 5 October 2025, coming on as a late substitute for Jokin Gabilondo in a 3–0 Segunda División away loss to Racing de Santander.[3]
Personal life
Rafita's father, also named Rafael, was also a footballer. A forward, he notably represented Vélez CF in Segunda División B.[4]
References
- ^ "Rafita, un ejemplo de la importancia de apostar por el fútbol base malagueño" [Rafita, an example of the importance to bet on the malagueño youth football] (in Spanish). Málaga Hoy. 7 October 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- ^ "El Atlético Malagueño se mantiene aún más lider tras golear al Motril" [Atlético Malagueño remain even more leaders after thrashing Motril] (in Spanish). Sport Direct Radio. 13 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- ^ "El amargo debut de Rafita con el Málaga CF" [Rafita's bitter debut with Málaga CF] (in Spanish). Sport Direct Radio. 6 October 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- ^ Rafita: Rafael Garrido Martínez at BDFutbol. Retrieved 8 October 2025.