| Rafael Gladiador | |
| Fullname: | Rafael Teixeira de Souza |
| Birth Date: | 13 July 1992 |
| Birth Place: | Água Boa, Brazil |
| Height: | 1.83 m |
| Position: | Striker |
| Youthyears1: | –2011 |
| Youthclubs1: | Bahia |
| Years1: | 2011–2014 |
| Clubs1: | Bahia |
| Caps1: | 13 |
| Goals1: | 1 |
| Years2: | 2013 |
| Clubs2: | → D.C. United (loan) |
| Caps2: | 7 |
| Goals2: | 1 |
| Years3: | 2013 |
| Clubs3: | → Atlético Goianiense (loan) |
| Caps3: | 4 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Years4: | 2014–2015 |
| Clubs4: | Atlético Zacatepec |
| Caps4: | 4 |
| Goals4: | 0 |
| Years5: | 2015 |
| Clubs5: | Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard |
| Caps5: | 12 |
| Goals5: | 6 |
| Years6: | 2017 |
| Clubs6: | Tupi |
| Caps6: | 10 |
| Goals6: | 2 |
| Years7: | 2019 |
| Caps7: | 6 |
| Goals7: | 1 |
| Years8: | 2019 |
| Clubs8: | Paços de Ferreira |
| Years9: | 2020 |
| Clubs9: | Patrocinense |
| Caps9: | 9 |
| Goals9: | 1 |
| Years10: | 2020 |
| Clubs10: | Juventude |
| Years11: | 2021 |
| Clubs11: | Palmas |
| Caps11: | 8 |
| Goals11: | 5 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2011 |
| Nationalcaps1: | 3 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 8 December 2021 |
| Nationalteam-Update: | 14 September 2019 |
Rafael Teixeira de Souza (born 13 July 1992) in Água Boa, commonly known as Rafael Gladiador, is a former Brazilian footballer who played as a striker.
In 2011, Rafael Gladiador signed for Bahia's first team from its reserve squad. In 36 appearances for Bahia he scored 10 goals.
On 9 January 2013, it was announced that he would join D.C. United as a young designated player on a one-year loan[1] with a pre-negotiated option to make the move permanent.[2] He scored his first goal for the team in his debut game on 23 March, a 2–1 home defeat to the Columbus Crew.[3] After making four more appearances with United, Rafael suffered a concussion during training.
Rafael Gladiador and DC agreed to part ways in June 2013.[4]
In July 2015, Rafael Gladiador transferred to China League One side Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard.[5]
On 5 July 2019, Rafael Gladiador signed with Paços de Ferreira after a stint in Brazil with Cabofriense.[6] However, he didn't play any games for the club, before he returned to Brazil, signing with Patrocinense in December 2019. In August 2020, he moved to Sociedade Esportiva Juventude.[7]
Rafael joined Palmas ahead of the 2021 Campeonato Tocantinense.[8]
Rafael has represented Brazil at the under-20 level 3 times.