.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels In Paris: Rafaelle Souza
7/24/2024 | Soccer
PARIS – Former Ole Miss Soccer athlete Rafaelle Souza will be competing in the 2024 Olympics this summer as a defender and one of the most experienced players on Team Brazil.
Souza's trip to Paris will be the third of her career after playing for her home country in Tokyo in 2021 and in Rio in 2016. She has played in nine total Olympic matches, leading Brazil to a fourth-place finish in 2016 and the quarterfinals in 2021. She has also played with Team Brazil in both the 2015 and 2023 World Cups, even being named a captain for the 2023 tournament. Souza has scored nine goals in her international career.
After being drafted by the NWSL's Houston Dash in 2014, Souza has played for six different professional soccer teams in three different countries. She spent a large part of her professional career in China playing for Changchun Zhuoyue of the Chinese Women's Super League from 2016-2021. In 2022, Souza became the first Brazilian woman to player for Arsenal Women in London. Most recently she signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Orlando Pride who she currently plays for.
Souza, who played for the Rebels from 2011-13, was one of the most decorated players in Ole Miss history. She was named a NSCAA First-Team All-American in 2013 after scoring 22 goals and 50 total points for the Rebels. That season she guided Ole Miss to a 16-6-2 record including 9-1-1 at home. The Rebels also advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history, defeating Jackson State 9-0 in the opening round. The 2013 team holds the program record for most points in a season (172), goals (64), and third all-time in assists for a season with (46).
In her career as a Rebel, Souza scored the second-most goals, the second-most points, and ranks ninth in career assists. She was named to the All-SEC team twice and was a two-time NSCAA/USC Scholar All-American as well as SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Souza recently earned her U.S. green card in January, becoming a citizen of the United States.
Souza and Team Brazil will play their first match of the 2024 Olympics on July 25 against Nigeria.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss Soccer on X at @OleMissSoccer, on the Ole Miss Soccer Facebook page, and on Instagram at @officialolemisssoccer.
Souza's trip to Paris will be the third of her career after playing for her home country in Tokyo in 2021 and in Rio in 2016. She has played in nine total Olympic matches, leading Brazil to a fourth-place finish in 2016 and the quarterfinals in 2021. She has also played with Team Brazil in both the 2015 and 2023 World Cups, even being named a captain for the 2023 tournament. Souza has scored nine goals in her international career.
After being drafted by the NWSL's Houston Dash in 2014, Souza has played for six different professional soccer teams in three different countries. She spent a large part of her professional career in China playing for Changchun Zhuoyue of the Chinese Women's Super League from 2016-2021. In 2022, Souza became the first Brazilian woman to player for Arsenal Women in London. Most recently she signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Orlando Pride who she currently plays for.
Souza, who played for the Rebels from 2011-13, was one of the most decorated players in Ole Miss history. She was named a NSCAA First-Team All-American in 2013 after scoring 22 goals and 50 total points for the Rebels. That season she guided Ole Miss to a 16-6-2 record including 9-1-1 at home. The Rebels also advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history, defeating Jackson State 9-0 in the opening round. The 2013 team holds the program record for most points in a season (172), goals (64), and third all-time in assists for a season with (46).
In her career as a Rebel, Souza scored the second-most goals, the second-most points, and ranks ninth in career assists. She was named to the All-SEC team twice and was a two-time NSCAA/USC Scholar All-American as well as SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Souza recently earned her U.S. green card in January, becoming a citizen of the United States.
Souza and Team Brazil will play their first match of the 2024 Olympics on July 25 against Nigeria.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss Soccer on X at @OleMissSoccer, on the Ole Miss Soccer Facebook page, and on Instagram at @officialolemisssoccer.
HIGHLIGHTS: Soccer vs. Kentucky (10/10/25)
Friday, October 10
Walk-and-Talk with Ole Miss Soccer: Sidney O'Billovich
Friday, October 10
Walk-and-Talk with Ole Miss Soccer: Briana Rodriguez
Friday, October 10
Walk-and-Talk with Ole Miss Soccer: Katie Ramsden
Friday, October 10