Brazilian volleyball great Raphael Vieira de Oliveira has come out of retirement at the age of 47 to help Sada Cruzeiro at the start of the 2026/27 season.
The veteran setter will temporarily join the squad for the Campeonato Mineiro Sicredi after the club was left short in the position. Matheus Brasília is away with the Brazilian national team, while Gustavo is expected to undergo surgery.
Rapha, who retired in May 2023 after playing for Verona in Italy, has already returned to training and matches. He will also mentor Cruzeiro’s younger setters, including 18-year-old Caio Horácio.
“The invitation surprised me because I had retired, but you don’t say no to Sada Cruzeiro,” Rapha said. “This will be a very special chapter in my career.”
The former Brazil international enjoyed a decorated career with clubs including Trentino, Halkbank, Dinamo Kazan, Al Rayyan and Verona. He also spent 12 years with the national team, winning the World League, four South American Championships and two Grand Champions Cup titles. Sada Cruzeiro sporting director Flávio Pereira said Rapha’s experience would bring stability to the squad while helping the club’s young players develop.
His return gives Cruzeiro an experienced short-term solution and adds another unexpected chapter to one of Brazilian volleyball’s most successful careers.
