Raphael Alves

Position: Director of Methodology

Email: raphael@culturefc.com

Phone: 949.4674694

Raphael Alves started playing competitive football at a young age. Born in Santos, he played for several youth academies and became a professional player at the age of 16.

Self-taught, Raphael began to develop a great interest in player development. Very influenced by futsal, he felt that many of the methods were obsolete and began studying ways to develop a proper curriculum where all five main aspects of the game (physical, technical, tactical, psychological and social) could be interconnected. In his point of view, football is like a “living organism” and there is no way to develop players to the highest level if we work on these skills in isolation. For him, football should be played with lightness, joy, and improvisation, regardless of the game model. The focus must be on the individual/person first.

“Football is not just a team sport. It’s a game of individuals sharing collective moments.”

At the age of 27 (2015) he began teaching his Soccer and Futsal development model to young players in the United States.

Coaching Experience: 2 years of experience. Boys and Girls from 6-18 years old.

Education/Licenses: CBF (Brazil) and Conmebol B License

My 3 Favorite Things About Coaching: Social connections, human development and technical ability.

Fun facts about me: I have never done any other sport not soccer related. Soccer, beach soccer, street soccer, Footvolley, futsal, altinha, you name it.

Favorite coaching moments: France Tour 2018, Hawaii Futsal (Big Island and Oahu), Greece Tour, MIC Cup, Brazil Tour and all the moments I had the pleasure to share with my Culture B2007, B2008 and G2007/8.

Favorite Football moments: Watching Brazil National Team from 2002-2006, Santos FC 2002 and 2010, Barcelona 2012

Favorite all-time players: Zinedine Zidane (player I like the most growing up), Pelé, Neymar Jr, Ronaldo Nazário, Lionel Messi

Favorite team: Santos Futebol Clube

Other interesting things about me: Love family and friends, Football, Footvolley, travel and food.