Hamza Rafia scored the winner for Juventus in the extra time of a dramatic last 16 Coppa Italia clash against Genoa and we take a look at who the 21-year-old is.
Born in Kalaat Senan, Tunisia, on April 2 1999, Rafia has a French passport and played with Les Bleus’ U17 and U18 squads, but eventually chose to play with the senior Tunisia national team with whom he has seven caps.
An attacking midfielder who can also play as right winger, Rafia made his international debut on September 6 2019 coming off the bench in a friendly match against Mauritania.
Hamza Rafia scored the winner for Juventus in the extra time of a dramatic last 16 Coppa Italia clash against Genoa and we take a look at who the 21-year-old is.
Born in Kalaat Senan, Tunisia, on April 2 1999, Rafia has a French passport and played with Les Bleus’ U17 and U18 squads, but eventually chose to play with the senior Tunisia national team with whom he has seven caps.
An attacking midfielder who can also play as right winger, Rafia made his international debut on September 6 2019 coming off the bench in a friendly match against Mauritania.
He moved to France when he was a child and played in the youth sectors of SC Bron Terraillon, AS Bron Grand Lyon and Olympique Lyon.
He was promoted to Lyon’s reserve team in 2017 and played 25 games with them before leaving the club to join Juventus in the summer of 2019.
The Old Lady signed him for €500,000, but the total fee of the transfer could reach €5m with add-ons and Lyon have a 20 percent clause on his future sale. He has been playing for Juventus’ Under 23 team in Serie C. His contract expires in June 2022.
He made his U23 debut on August 26 2019. In December he scored from the spot his first professional goal with the Old Lady, allowing the Under 23 squad to qualify for the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia Serie C.
Before tonight, he had scored his most important goal for Juventus in a Coppa Italia Serie C final against Ternana this past June.
The Old Lady won 2-1 and lifted the first trophy in the history of their reserve team, that was launched in 2018.
He has five goals and nine assists in 42 appearances with Juventus U23.
Rafia was promoted to the senior team by Andrea Pirlo for tonight’s match against Genoa.
The 21-year-old came off the bench to replace Manolo Portanova after 77 minutes and scored his first goal on his senior debut.
“On Sunday, I was against Carrarese playing for Juventus U23 in Serie C, today I am here scoring a decisive goal for Juve in the Coppa Italia,” he told RAI Sport after the game.
“I dedicate this goal to my Mum, certainly!”