Profiles
of Pure Futbol Ltd. Founders/President
- Rafael Ferreiro
Rafael Ferreiro is one of Pure Futbol Ltd's. founders and
acting President. As a Native South Floridian Rafael began
his playing career in local recreational leagues until the
age of 12 when he joined Plantation U-12 soccer traveling
team in order to get better competition and exposure. His
traveling team career led him to such clubs as Parkland U-14,
Sunrise U-15, Coral Springs U-16, Lighthouse Point F. C. U-17
& U-18 (*Always playing 2 age groups up). At the same
time Rafael also played in a semi-amateur league with Uruguay
Broward F. C. in South Florida's Premiere Men's League, the
"Gold Coast League" where many ex-professional and
college players played giving Rafael valuable experience that
would later benefit him in his career as a Professional Soccer
Player. Many of Rafael's awards and achievements came during
his High School and College career.
Rafael attended Cardinal
Gibbons High School where he played 4 years on the Varsity
Boys team.
During his time at Cardinal Gibbons Rafael help win 3 District
Titles, 2 regional Titles and 1 State Runners up trophy. Some
of Rafael's honors at Cardinal Gibbons included being picked
Rookie of the Year (Freshman Year), Offensive Player of the
Year (Sophomore& Junior Year) and Most Valuable Player
(Senior Year). Rafael was also Chosen 3 years in a row on
both the All-Broward 1st Team and Florida's 1st All-State
Team culminating in being voted Broward County's "The
Heralds: Player of the Year" in 1998. Also during these
years Rafael was part of the ODP Program (Olympic Development
Program) where he formed part of the Florida State team U-14,
U-15, U-16 & U-17 as well as being picked for the USA
National Pool U-16 & U-18.
Rafael attended college
his freshman year at FIU (Florida International University)
where he scored 2 goals and 8 assists (team high for the year).
After his freshman year he then transferred to NSU (Nova South
Eastern University) where once again he found success in helping
win 2 regional titles that permitted the team a birth in the
National Tournament two years in a row. For his efforts he
was picked as a an Honorable-Mention All-American in 2000
& 2001. Rafael was also Picked as for the Florida Sun-Conference
All-Region team in 2000 and voted Nova Southeastern Men's
Co-MVP. At NSU Rafael received a Bachelors Degree in Business
Administration and International Business.
After a successful career
in college Rafael pointed his aim across the Atlantic to Spain,
where his father was born and where he vacationed every summer
since the age of six, always joining in on summer leagues
and pre-season camps with notable teams such as Deportivo
(Infantiles), Celta de Vigo (B-Team), Santiago de Compostela's
(Cadetes, Juveniles & B-Team). Rafael was also chosen
by a Real Madrid Scout to complete a 2-Week trial with Real
Madrid's Cadetes (U-16). After the 2-weeks Rafael had a good
showing but because he did not poses European citizenship
he was not allowed to stay. This was later rectified when
he turned 21 and joined Racing de Ferrol (Spain 2nd. Division)
where he played for 6 months and was then sent on loan to
3rd. division club Naron F. C. where they were proclaimed
division champs. After Spain Rafael then had a short stint
in Uruguay with 1st. division club Cerrito that ended when
a players strike arose.
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