Hamza Rafia (; born 2 April 1999) is a Tunisian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for club Espérance de Tunis and the Tunisia national team.
Born in Tunisia, Rafia initially represented France at youth level, before switching allegiance to his native country, making his senior debut for Tunisia in 2019.
Early life Born on 22 April 1999 in Kalaat es Senam, Tunisia, Rafia moved to France as a child and played in the youth sectors of Bron Terraillon, Bron Grand Lyon, and Lyon.
Club career Lyon B Coming through the youth system, Rafia played for the reserve team of Lyon in the Championnat de France Amateur, the fourth division of French football. He made his debut on 28 May 2016, during the 2015–16 season, in a 4–3 home defeat to Moulins Yzeure Foot. His first goal for Lyon B came during the 2018–19 season, on 18 August 2018, helping his side win 5–2 against Monaco B. Rafia scored five goals in 18 league games throughout the season. In four seasons, he scored five goals in 26 games.
Juventus U23 On 16 July 2019, Rafia joined Juventus on a three-year contract, for a fee of €400,000, which can reach €5 million in add-ons, and 20% on his future sale. Rafia played for Juventus' reserve team in the Serie C – Juventus U23 – making his professional debut in a 2–0 away loss to Novara in the league on 26 August 2019.
On 18 December, Rafia scored his first goal for Juventus U23 in a 2–1 away victory over Piacenza, in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia Serie C. He helped Juventus U23 win the tournament, scoring against Ternana in the final, which ended 2–1. During the 2019–20 season, Rafia played 20 games in the league, two in the promotion play-offs, and scored three goals and made three assists in the Coppa Italia Serie C. On 29 November 2020, Rafia scored his first goal in Serie C in a 2–1 away loss against Olbia.
Juventus On 13 January 2021, Rafia made his senior debut for Juventus, coming on as a 77th-minute substitute in a Coppa Italia match against Genoa; he scored in the 104th minute, helping Juventus win 3–2 after extra time.
Loan to Standard Liège On 18 August 2021, Rafia moved to Belgian side Standard Liège on loan.
Loan to Cremonese On 31 January 2022, Rafia moved to Serie B side Cremonese.
Pescara On 27 January 2023, Rafia signed a 2.5-year contract with Serie C club Pescara.
Lecce On 18 July 2023, Rafia signed a three-year contract with Serie A club Lecce. He made his top-tier debut in their season opener against Lazio on 20 August 2023.
Style of play Rafia is an attacking midfielder also capable of playing as a right winger.
International career Rafia represented France at under-17 and under-18 levels, but decided to represent Tunisia at senior level. He made his senior debut on 6 September 2019, coming off the bench in a 1–0 friendly win over Mauritania.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsLyon B2015–16Amateur20———202016–17Amateur00—10—102017–18National 260———602018–19National 2184—73—257Total264—83—347Juventus Next Gen2019–20Serie C22073——2932020–21Serie C24200——2422022–23Serie C14210——152Total60483——687Juventus2020–21Serie A0011000011Standard Liège (loan)2021–22Belgian First Division A9020——110Cremonese (loan)2021–22Serie B120———120Pescara2022–23Serie C181———181Lecce2023–24Serie A28110——2912024–25Serie A18020——2002025–26Serie A0000——00Total46130——491Espérance de Tunis2025–26Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 11215120—1922026–27Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1400000—40Total1615120—232Career total187111951030021619
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsTunisia2019302020402021802022402023522024132Total374
Scores and results list Tunisia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Rafia goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Hamza RafiaNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition112 September 202330 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt3–13–1Friendly217 November 2023Hammadi Agrebi Stadium, Tunis, Tunisia3–04–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification320 January 2024Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo, Ivory Coast1–11–12023 Africa Cup of Nations414 November 2024Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa1–03–22025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
Honours Juventus U23 Coppa Italia Serie C: 2019–20
Juventus Coppa Italia: 2020–21
Espérance de Tunis Tunisian Cup: 2025–26
References
External links